The Free Kick

Todd is joined by Jose Nunez to discuss Philadelphia Union II's 3-2 loss in MLS Next Pro Cup to North Texas and to discuss what the future may hold for Marlon LeBlanc after this season.

North Texas v Philadelphia Union II:

• Union II blow a 2-0 lead: [4:10]
• What went wrong in the second half for Union II: [10:58]
• Olwethu Makhanya red card: [17:10]
• Andrew Rick, Neil Pierre, CJ Olney, David Vazquez called up to u19 training camp: [23:20]
• What's next for Marlon LeBlanc: [30:30]

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ESPN Article on Jim Curtin's Firing

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

After 10 seasons as the head coach of the Philadelphia Union, Jim Curtin has been fired. Todd Lewis is joined by José Nuñez to discuss this news, which shocked not only the Philadelphia Union fanbase but also the MLS world. Other topics include: What other dominoes will follow after Curtin's firing? What could have led to the firing? Disappointment in Curtin's last season. What will Ernst Tanner look for in his next head coach?

Preparing for the week ahead: [2:00]

Where could Curtin land: [6:38]

Jim Curtin was asked in his last press conference will he be back for the 2025 season: [13:13]

Did the Union town hall lead to his firing: [21:23]

The Union can potentially qualify for the Club World Cup: [23:33]

What other dominos can fall in the wake of Curtin's dismissal / Dean Costalas leaves the Union: [27:00]

No 'Thank You Jim Curtin' post by the Union: [47:42]

Jim Curtin didn't deserve to go out this way: [52:40]

Tom Bogert's tweet from July 2024 said that Jim Curtin's job wasn't in danger: [1:05:29]

What could Ernst Tanner look for in a coach: [1:13:00]

Thank you Jim Curtin: [1:16:21]

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What an exciting weekend it was for Philadelphia Union II as they defeated Columbus Crew 2 for their first ever trophy in club history! Todd recaps the match and goes over topics such as: the record breaking crowd, breaking down all four of the goals Union II scored, Marlon LeBlanc's praise for his backroom staff shows his leadership, comparing Marlon's success at West Virginia University compared to winning the Eastern Conference Title with Union II, what's been the success for the strong defensive display, and three stars on the night. Todd opens the show talking about the MLS playoffs and what games have been the biggest surprise.

MLS News:

• MLS playoffs update: [5:02]

Philadelphia Union II v Columbus Crew 2:

• Record-breaking Crowd: [14:15]
• Breaking down the goals: [19:41]
• Praise for the backroom staff: [32:12]
• Success at West Virginia University v Union II: [40:25]
• Strong defensive performance in playoffs: [49:13]
• 3 Stars: [54:52]

Blunder of The Week:

• Hector Herrera spits at referee: [1:01:33]

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Tragic news hit the Philadelphia Union community with the passing of Union goalkeeper Holden Trent. Todd opens the show talking about Holden's achievements at High Point University, and Philadelphia Union II head coach Marlon LeBlanc talking about Holden's legacy. And if you thought playoff soccer was done in Philadelphia with the Union not making the playoffs, you're WRONG! Philadelphia Union II defeated Crown Legacy 4-3 on penalty kicks to advance to the MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference Finals! Todd goes over his thoughts from the game and talks about the similarities between the first and second team, Markus Anderson's first 45 minutes and an injury update from Marlon LeBlanc, Union II's defense holds Crown Legacy to only three shots on target, Neil Pierre's ball playing abilities, the growth that Marlon LeBlanc has seen from his young team, and how much the fans mean to the coaches and players.

Holden Trent passes away at 25 years old: [1:18]

Philadelphia Union II v Crown Legacy: 

• Similarities between the first and second team: [15:18]
• Markus Anderson's 45 minutes + injury update: [20:54]
• Defensive display: [28:07]
• Andrew Rick on defense: [37:16]
• Neil Pierre's ball playing ability: [38:20]
• Growth of the team: [41:16]
• What the fans mean to the players and coaches: [49:54]

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Holden Trent Memorial Scholarship Fund

Union II Playoff Tickets

With the Philadelphia Union's 2-1 loss to FC Cincinnati, that means no playoff soccer for the Union for the first time since 2017. What looked to be a promising start with a Quinn Sullivan goal in the second minute, defensive mistake cost the Union once more and saw their season come to an end. Todd goes over the latest news in MLS that includes: Should the Union sign Fabian Herbers, Union II to take on Crown Legacy, Jeremy Rafanello and Quinn Sullivan sign new long-term contracts with the Union. Todd also discusses his thoughts on the game against Cincinnati with topics: Union concede too many goals in the last five minutes in the first half, and the first five in the second half, Union's record against playoff teams in the Eastern Conference, Daniel Gazdag's injury changed everything for the Union, Jim Curtin's damning statement for players on the bench, and Kai Wagner calls out his teammates after the game. 

MLS News:

• Chicago Fire decline the option on Fabian Herbers, should the Union sign him: [6:12]
• Union II to play Crown Legacy: [12:51]
• Jeremy Rafanello signs a new contract with the Union: [16:25]
• Quinn Sullivan signs a new contract with the Union: [19:53]

Philadelphia Union v FC Cincinnati:

• Union's hot start against Cincinnati / scoring wasn't an issue for the Union this season: [26:02]
• Union concede two goals on defensive mistakes, again: [28:24]
• Union conceding within the last five minutes of the first half and five minutes into the second half: [31:26]
• 27 points dropped is the most in MLS: [34:44]
• 12 one goal losses this season + record against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: [35:48]
• Daniel Gazdag's injury changed everything: [37:22]
• Jim Curtin's damning comments about the players on the bench won't make a difference: [43:24]
• Kai Wagner calls out players/owners after the game: [51:22]

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The Philadelphia Union fell to the Columbus Crew by a score of 3-2, meaning the Union no longer control their playoff hopes. Todd shares his thoughts from his trip to Lower.com Field and reflects on the Union’s overall performance against the Crew. Topics include: the Union’s mood in the locker room now that they no longer control their playoff destiny, the Crew performing like a big-market team while the Union resemble a small-market team, the Union’s need for more athletic players, whether things would have been different if Andre Blake had been healthy all season, and the importance of having your best players perform at their best.

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MLS End of The Season Awards Nominations

The Philadelphia Union fell to Orlando City by a score of 2-1 on Wednesday night in a game that could have seen the Union lose by multiple goals but also end in a draw. Todd shares his thoughts on Alejandro Bedoya and Olivier Mbaizo starting over Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel, the Union's inconsistency in starting games, and whether the Union are scoreboard watching.

Orlando City v Philadelphia Union:

• Orlando Should've been up by multiple goals in the first 20 minutes: [7:25]
• Starting Alejandro Bedoya and Olivier Mbaizo over Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel: [7:55]
• Do the Union deserve to make the playoffs: [19:50]
• Orlando City's first goal against the Union: [27:20]
• Union need more speed: [30:32]
• Comparing Bedoya and Mbaizo's starts to Sullivan and Harriel's: [32:47]
• The inconsistency in the Union's start's to the games: [35:28]
• Do the Union scoreboard watch: [43:10]
• Too many dropped points: [51:28]

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The Philadelphia Union defeated NYCFC 5-1, marking their second-largest away victory in the last three seasons. With Andre Blake still sidelined due to a groin injury, the Union turned to 18-year-old homegrown goalkeeper Andrew Rick for a second consecutive game—and what a decision that was! Rick made seven crucial saves to secure the Union's win. Todd shares his thoughts on the game, discussing Andrew Rick's standout performance, Jakob Glesnes' vital goal, the Union's ability to convert their chances, their status as one of the best road teams in MLS over the last three seasons, and their dominance over NYCFC since the 2021 Eastern Conference Final loss.

 NYCFC v Philadelphia Union:

• Starting lineup for the Union: [2:47]
• Andrew Rick's HUGE night: [7:07]
• Jakob Glesnes' vital goal: [26:28]
• Union's last seven games against NYCFC: [30:31]
• Union convert chances: [37:25]
• Union in top five of most wins on the road in MLS in last three seasons: [44:19]
• 3 Stars: [51:58]

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The Philadelphia Union lost to Inter Miami by a score of 3-1 despite scoring first. Mikael Uhre made it two consecutive games in which he has scored, and it marks the third time this season that he has scored a goal within the first five minutes of a game. The Union had multiple chances to go up by two or more goals in the first half after costly mistakes by Miami defender Tomás Avilés, but they weren’t able to capitalize on those opportunities. Lionel Messi added a brace and an assist in his return to Inter Miami, and he is now tied for the second-most goals in MLS this season, just two away from the lead. Todd also goes over the latest news in MLS, including: Junior Moreno returning to MLS, this time with Houston Dynamo; Carlos Vela re-signing with LAFC; and Atlanta United parting ways with Carlos Bocanegra. Todd shares his thoughts from the Miami game with topics including: the value of Andre Blake to the Union, the missed opportunities for the team, whether the Union can still make the playoffs, and Jack Elliott's suspension for the upcoming match against NYCFC.

MLS News:

• Houston Dynamo sign Junior Moreno: [3:26]
• LAFC re-sign Carlos Vela: [5:04]
• Carlos Bocanegra fired by Atlanta United: [6:21]

Inter Miami v Philadelphia Union:

• Jack McGlynn disappoints in a game he needed to sign in: [8:34]
• Andre Blake shows just how important he truly is to the Union: [13:04]
• Union can't capitalize on Inter Miami's multiple mistakes: [28:13]
• Can the Union still make the playoffs: [36:57]
• Jack Elliott suspended against NYCFC: [44:02]
• 3 Stars: [50:51]
• Reviewing Keys to The Game: [53:31]

Blunder of The Week:

• Apple TV for missing game action, again: [55:05]

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The Philadelphia Union head down to Chase Stadium this Saturday to face Inter Miami, as the Union look to get into a playoff spot, as they currently sit in 11th place, one point behind Atlanta for the final spot. Joining Todd to preview the game is Kris Duran from the Battered Herons Podcast. Todd and Kris discuss, what makes Inter Miami so dangerous at home, Miami still winning without Messi, Chris Henderson's job at scouting young talent, Miami have stopped conceding first, the match between these two teams in June, and three keys for each team to earn at least a point. 

Chicago Fire v Inter Miami: [7:00]

Other players stepping up in Messi's absence: [9:40]

Chris Henderson's ability to put together this roster together: [12:20]

Is Tata Martino the right coach: [14:47]

What makes Inter Miami difficult to play against at home:[18:26]

Inter Miami no longer conceding first: [22:29]

Last meeting between Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami:[28:07]

Stats: [33:30]

Three Keys to the game: [36:54]

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