Philadelphia Union’s Alejandro Bedoya announced as Impact Award winner

Major League Soccer and Audi of America announced Philadelphia Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya as the winner of the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award on Thursday. The honor is given to players who work to create sustainable communities, foster equity and inclusion, and enrich the lives of those in need in the United States and Canada.

Audi will present Bedoya with a $100,000 contribution toward the Philadelphia Equity Alliance, Bedoya’s charity of choice, during the MLS Cup Final.

“I’m proud to receive this coveted award and to be recognized for my efforts to help drive positive change in the Philadelphia community, a cause that is of great importance to me,” Bedoya said in a press release. “I’m honored to be in the company of the other finalists for this award as well as all players who use their platforms to prioritize driving progress in their communities. We are all making a difference in the areas that mean so much to us.”

Bedoya was joined by Columbus’ Darlington Nagbe and Nashville’s Taylor Washington as finalists for the award. The group was chosen by a selection committee of current players, technical staff, front office staff, and media members.

Bedoya, who first joined the Union in 2016, is expected to leave the club this offseason. The 36-year-old midfielder was reportedly informed by the club that he was not in its plans moving forward and that the 2023 season would be his last in a Union jersey. Since then, Jim Curtin and several players have protested the decision and argued against the Union’s front office against Bedoya’s release.