Jim Curtin says Union’s Alejandro Bedoya is on track to play Sunday vs. NYCFC

"He trained full today, which was great, so we’ll see how his body responds to that,” Curtin said at Thursday's news conference.

Alejandro Bedoya has played just 16 minutes over the Union's last four games because of a hip flexor strain.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

by Jonathan Tannenwald

Published Oct. 27, 2022, 12:57 p.m. ET

Union midfielder and captain Alejandro Bedoya was a full participant in practice Thursday, manager Jim Curtin said, and Bedoya is likely to play in the Eastern Conference final Sunday at Subaru Park (8:25 p.m., FS1, Fox Deportes).

“He trained full today, which was great, so we’ll see how his body responds to that,” Curtin said at his weekly news conference, traditionally his last major remarks before a weekend game.

Bedoya has been battling a hip flexor strain for more than a month. He has played just 16 minutes over the Union’s last four games, all in the regular-season finale on Oct. 9. He was on track to play in the conference semifinal against Cincinnati but suffered a flare-up a few days before the game and sat out.

On Tuesday, Bedoya took part in everything but the intrasquad game portion of the practice session and told The Inquirer that he was “doing better.”

Asked if he thought he’d be in game shape by Sunday, Bedoya said “that’s the game plan,” and “I’m going to do everything I can to be back for that.”

Wednesday was a light workout day for everyone, and afterward, the team attended the Wanamaker Award luncheon honoring Andre Blake. On Thursday, it was back to the usual rigor, and Bedoya was in the middle of it.

“We were able to kind of ease him into the week,” Curtin said. “He’s pushed himself very hard and worked very hard, doesn’t have a ton of discomfort as of right now. So, again, we’ll see how he responds to today’s full session, which was a transition day, so a high-intensity session — and he had no issues reported so far.”

There’s still plenty of time before kickoff, to be sure. Curtin spoke just after noon, and noted that Bedoya was in the treatment room at that hour. But the manager sounded optimistic.

“We’ll see how it feels, and we’ll make an assessment,” Curtin said. “I think it’s pretty safe to say whether as a starter or off the bench, he’ll play a role — and a big one — in this game, Because he’s our captain; he’s our leader, and we need him.”