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Philadelphia Union and USMNT midfielder Alejandro Bedoya made headlines when he shot off some tweets at American soccer legend Eric Wynalda earlier today. It all started last night when Wynalda, who works for Fox Sports, lamented Bedoya's performance in the United States' World Cup qualifying match versus Trinidad & Tobago.
Love you Jeff-I really do-but let's just not have this conversation tonight :) Bedoya was terrible tonight- terrible https://t.co/1FnE3Jip3o
— Eric Wynalda (@EricWynalda) September 7, 2016
Bedoya fired back this morning with a series of tweets, the first of which has since been deleted.
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I can take criticism. Last night I was off my game & not good enough but this dude has a well documented dislike for me that I don't get.
— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) September 7, 2016
Never seen someone try so hard to remain relevant. Begs for coaching jobs, TV commentator, analyst & a random radio show. You're a #HasBeen.
— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) September 7, 2016
While that third tweet is absolutely vicious, it pales in comparison to the first tweet, where Bedoya references an alleged affair that then-USMNT captain John Harkes had with Wynalda's wife prior to the 1998 World Cup. Of course, responding to Wynalda's criticism of match performance with a reminder of his wife's alleged past transgression was hardly an adult thing for Bedoya to do. Wynalda seemed to agree, as he hit back with the rare "stay classy" that was actually justified.
Focus on "better" not bitter. I had my opinions of your play- I did not know that you had zero class- @ussoccer https://t.co/S40RsViUUv
— Eric Wynalda (@EricWynalda) September 7, 2016
Bedoya responded angrily once more.
You're dislike for me for is no secret. I sacrifice a lot to strive for better. I've earned everything. #LifeGoesOn https://t.co/CkT8BVtWy0
— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) September 7, 2016
After retweeting some support from fans, Bedoya finally made a half-hearted apology.
Fair enough. Got caught in heat of moment & went a little too far. My bad. Tomorrow is a new day. https://t.co/FDXpUVtWs8
— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) September 7, 2016
When Kevin Kinkead of The Philly Voice asked Union Head Coach Jim Curtin about the ordeal earlier today, he said that he and Bedoya would "have a good discussion" about it.
Here's what Jim Curtin had to say about the Twitter exchange between Eric Wynalda and Alejandro Bedoya: pic.twitter.com/wjyXuJ2cRg
— Kevin Kinkead (@Kevin_Kinkead) September 7, 2016
Bedoya, who has a track record of taking very little shit on Twitter, somehow made Wynalda appear a sympathetic figure here. It is Wynalda's duty as a pundit to criticize, and Bedoya is well within his rights to respond to any criticism that may come his way. For the most part, Bedoya's synopsis of Wynalda's post-playing career was scathing. But busting out an "Are you mad because your wife (allegedly) cheated on you 20 years ago?" in an argument about soccer is pretty clearly uncalled for.
What do you think? Did Eric Wynalda have it coming, or does Bedoya take the L?