After going unbeaten in their last three games, including picking up four points in their last two away games, the Union fell to the Columbus Crew by a score of 2-0. The defeat came thanks to an early goal from Max Arfsten, a Nathan Harriel own goal, and a Japhet Sery red card in stoppage time of the second half. José and Jillian discuss their thoughts from the game, including: Max Arfsten causing all sorts of problems for the Union, Bradley Carnell wanting to see improvement in transition moments, finding a balance between development and results, injury updates on Jesús Bueno, Frankie Westfield, and Andre Blake, Japhet Sery Red Card? The right or wrong call, and the worst start in Union history.

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Jillian's Social Media:

Twitter @Silly__Jilly

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The Philadelphia Union look to conclude their road trip with three points against the Columbus Crew, which would see the Union go unbeaten in their last four matches. Philadelphia are coming off a 3-3 draw against Toronto, while Columbus are coming off a 2-1 win against LA Galaxy on Wednesday night, in which former Union player Dániel Gazdag opened the scoring for the Crew. Todd and José are joined by Columbus Crew radio play-by-play announcer Chris Doran to preview the match. They discuss Columbus' 2-1 victory over LA Galaxy, Columbus' season so far under new head coach Henrik Rydström, and life for Dániel Gazdag in his Crew career.

Columbus Crew v LA Galaxy:

• What stood out: [5:20]

• MLS players representing the country adds extra eyeballs: [12:32]

• Dániel Gazdag's time in Columbus: [21:11]

Henrik Rydström:

• Impact of Rydström so far in Columbus: [33:23]

Columbus Crew v Philadelphia:

• Biggest matchup to watch: [45:15]

World Cup:

• Ecuador using Columbus as World Cup base: [51:05]

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Twitter: @JoserNunez91

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Chris' Social Media:

Twitter: @ChrisDoran18

Things were looking good for the Philadelphia Union as they led 2-0 against Toronto FC before conceding two goals to Josh Sargent and Kobe Franklin. In the 89th minute, Nathan Harriel thought he had scored the game-winning goal… only for Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran to head home the equalizer in the 6th minute of stoppage time. Todd is joined by Kyle and Jillian Almoney of The One Team We Agree On to break it all down: Match Recap & Key Moments, how do the Union move on from throwing away a 2-0 (and then 3-2) lead, Danley Jean Jacques as No. 10, and can the Union be satisfied with the results despite two draws?

Toronto FC v Philadelphia:

• Match Recap & Key Moments: [3:53]

• Defensive Collapse or Bad Luck: [19:41]

• Danley Jean Jacques as a No. 10: [32:30]

• Three Games Unbeaten—Progress or False Hope: [42:27]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

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Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Kyle and Jillian's Social Media:

Twitter @Silly__Jilly

Twitter: @CoachAlmoney

theoneteamweagreeon.com

The Philadelphia Union were held to zero goals once again by D.C. United, as United took four points off the Union during the regular season. Despite the draw, the Union were able to record their first clean sheet of the season and Andre Blake's 90th career clean sheet. Todd discusses his thoughts from the game, including: Ezekiel Alladoh and Bruno Damiani's performance, Jesús Bueno continuing to make a case as a locked-in starter, and finding the positives in a game that felt like a "must-win." Finally, Blunder of the Week goes to Gianluigi Donnarumma for his huge blunder against Arsenal that allowed Arsenal to equalize 1-1 against Manchester City.

Philadelphia Union v D.C. United:

• Ezekiel Alladoh and Bruno Damiani partnership: [7:07]

• Finding positives in a draw: [25:00]

• Jesus Bueno continues to make his case to be a locked in starter: [52:01]

Blunder of The Week:

• Gianluigi Donnarumma too casual on the ball, gets closed down by Kai Havertz to tie the game up 1-1 for Arsenal in the 18th minute: [57:45]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

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YouTube: The Free Kick

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Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

After last weekend's 2-1 comeback win over CF Montréal, the Philadelphia Union will look to earn back-to-back wins for the first time in 2026 as D.C. United visit Subaru Park on Saturday. MLS play-by-play commentator Nate Bukaty joins the show to preview Saturday's matchup. The trio discuss Nate's time as Sporting KC's lead commentator, what's gone wrong for D.C. United since their opening 1-0 win over the Union, whether the Union can build momentum after last weekend's game against Montréal, and what to do with Jesús Bueno, Danley Jean Jacques, and Jovan Lukic.

Background on Nate:

• Time at SKC: [3:16]

• How's the league evolved: [10:56]

Philadelphia Union v D.C. United preview:

• DC United's Season So Far: [13:58]

• Philadelphia Union's Struggles and Recent Momentum: [24:07]

• Tactical and Personnel Deep Dives: [52:38]

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Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Nate's Social Media:

Twitter: @nate_bukaty

Instagram: @natebukaty

Perfect-Pitch-Kansas-Became-American

After starting the season 0-6, the Philadelphia Union picked up their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over CF Montréal. Todd and José discuss the latest news, including Nathan Harriel signing a new contract extension with the club through 2028-29. They also share their thoughts on the game, with topics including the Union's struggles in the first half, their turnaround in the second half, Ezekiel Alladoh providing a spark off the bench, and Jovan Lukic and Jesús Bueno forming a formidable partnership in midfield. Finally, Blunder of the Week goes to both FC Cincinnati and San Diego FC for red cards picked up in their last few games.

News:

• Philadelphia Union sign Nathan Harriel to contract extension through 2028-29, with option for 2029-30: [2:53]

CF Montréal v Philadelphia Union:

• Union's struggles in the first half, but turnaround in the second half: [11:03]

• Jovan Lukic and Jesús Bueno forming a formidable partnership in midfield: [27:36]

• Ezekiel Alladoh providing a spark off the bench: [48:41]

Blunder of The Week:

• FC Cincinnati & San Diego have received a red card per game for the last month: [1:03:25]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

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YouTube: The Free Kick

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Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

José's conversation with Jesús Bueno

The Union look to turn around their disappointing season with at least a point against struggling CF Montréal this Saturday. The Union come into the match having lost all six of their games in MLS, while Montréal have not fared much better, losing five of their first six games to start the season. During the Union's last five games in Montréal, they hold a 2-2-1 record, including a 2-1 win last May. Todd and José are joined by MLS commentator on Apple TV, Jessica Charman, to preview Saturday's match. The trio discuss topics such as the key to the Union's struggles so far this season, what the Union's best lineup is in Jessica's opinion, and whether there have been any positives the Union can take away from their first six games despite being 0-6.

Jess' carrer:

• Key differences between radio and TV broadcasting: [7:27]

• Covering multiple teams at once: [12:00]

• Pronunciations: [16:50]

• One thing to take away from Spanish commentators that English commentators can apply to their calls: [23:54]

• Willie P shout out: [29:42]

CF Montreal v Philadelphia Union preview:

• Main takeaway from Montréal's game against New England last week: [37:20]

• Testing Thomas Gillier: [41:22]

• Getting the Union's forwards going: [45:24]

• Defensive pairings: [50:18]

• Any positives the Union can take away from their season so far: [54:00]

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Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Jess' Social Media:

Twitter: @JessTalksFootie

Instagram: @jesstalksfootie

The Union's horrid run in 2026 continued Saturday night with a 2–1 loss to Charlotte FC, with the Union's equalizing goal lasting only a minute before Charlotte retook the lead through Wilfried Zaha. The Union's 0–6 start is the worst ever in MLS for a defending Supporters' Shield winner, and they are now three losses away from tying Toronto FC for the worst start in MLS history. Todd and José discuss the latest Philadelphia Union news, including Malik Jakupovic signing a homegrown contract with the club. They also share their thoughts on the match against Charlotte, covering topics such as: What exactly is the Union's best starting XI? How deflating is it to score an equalizer only to give it right back? And how do the Union's newest signings rank? Finally, Blunder of the Week returns and is awarded to Inter Miami for denying journalist Franco Panizo press credentials for the club's new stadium opening at NU Stadium.

MLS News:

• Philadelphia Union sign Malik Jakupovic to a contract as a Homegrown player: [17:45]

• The Union U18s won the Dallas Cup after defeating Botafogo in the final on penalty kicks: [28:55]

Charlotte FC v Philadelphia Union:

• Breaking down the goals: [33:20]

• How deflating is it to score an equalizing goal just to concede right away: [47:51]

• What is the Union's best XI: [58:21]

• Ranking the Union's newest signings: [1:13:00]

Blunder of The Week:

• Inter Miami for denying journalist Franco Panizo credentials for Miami's stadium opener of NU Stadium: [1:25:00]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

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Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union's historically bad start to the 2026 MLS season continued Saturday afternoon against the Chicago Fire with a 2–1 loss, marking five straight losses to open the season. During this stretch, the Union have lost their first three home games—a first in team history. Todd is joined by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Owen Hewitt to discuss their thoughts from the match, including the Union continuing to hurt themselves, how important this international break is for the team, what lessons Bradley Carnell can take from year two with St. Louis CITY, and the Union's two most veteran leaders being "stunned" by the horrible start.

Philadelphia Union v Chicago Fire:

• Historic bad run continues with open play chances lacking against Chicago: [4:40]

• Union continuing to hurt themselves (poor giveaways): [11:41]

• Importance of the international break: [28:06]

• Lessons from Bradley Carnell's second year season in St. Louis: [38:25]

• Veteran leaders "stunned" by the start: [52:05]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

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YouTube: The Free Kick

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Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

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Owen's Social Media: BlueSky: oyounothing.bsky.social https://www.inquirer.com/author/hewitt_owen/

Twitter: oyounothing

Somehow, someway things continue to seem to get worse and worse for the Philadelphia Union as they fall to Atlanta United FC 3-1 in the battle of two winless teams. This marks a four-game losing streak to start the season for the Union, the most losses in a row to start a season for the club. Todd and José discuss their thoughts from the game and discuss: missed opportunities once again, does Bradley Carnell know his best XI, Carnell on the players needing to get back to the basics, and players needing to step up.

Atlanta United v Philadelphia Union:

• Union too easy to break down: [4:48]

• Missed opportunities once again: [28:13]

• Does Bradley Carnell know his best XI: [43:46]

• Back to the basics: [1:01:11]

• Players needing to step up: [1:06:44]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/