Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Joining the podcast for the very first time is Brotherly Games, Greg Oldfield! Todd, Greg, and Billy take a look at the 2022 Philadelphia Union season and discuss if it was a failure or not? Greg gives his thoughts on the atmosphere at Banc of California Stadium as he went out to cover MLS Cup. The guys also discuss any upcoming trips for the 2023 season and the concern of lack of depth on the current roster.

Greg's work with Brotherly Game: [2:55]

Thoughts on the 2022 season: [6:00]

Was 2022 a success: [7:50]

Banc of California Atmosphere: [11:29]

Lack of Depth: [13:07]

Away trips planned: [16:17]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Greg's Social Media:

Twitter: @GregOldfield21

Twitter: @BrotherlyGame

https://www.gregoldfield.com/

Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Billy Myers joins Todd to discuss the Philadelphia Union's greatest 10 players and the best Union XI!

Top 10 Greatest Union Players: [4:26]

Best Union XI: [18:18]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Billy's Social Media:

Twitter: @SanjayaSoB

This is a two-parter interview with Bearfight FC co-founder Jeremy Sharpe. Todd and Jeremy spend the second part of the episode talking about the future of Bearfight FC!

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Jeremy Social Media:

Twitter: @Jersha

Instagram: @jersha

Twitter: @BearfightFC

This is a two-parter interview with Bearfight FC co-founder Jeremy Sharpe. Todd and Jeremy spend the first part of the episode talking about how Jeremy got into Philadelphia Union and how that fandom led to the creation of non-league club Bearfight FC! 

Philadelphia Union:

• How Jeremy got into Philadelphia Union: [2:43]
• Was 2022 a success: [10:50]

Creation of Bearfight FC:

• Stachebash: [13:10]
• Punchy's night before Christmas: [16:26]
• Supporters-owned club: [21:00]
• Where did the name Bearfight come from: [29:00]
• Eric Shertz: [39:47]
• Local soccer in Philadelphia: [47:28]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Jeremy Social Media:

Twitter: @Jersha

Instagram: @jersha

Twitter: @BearfightFC

In a very special episode, Todd is joined by longtime Piccadilly FC manager Cem Toygar to talk about the importance of grassroots soccer. Todd and Cem speak about their relationship, how they got to meet, and how Cem got involved with the London Underground Football League. They also take a look at Cem's first MLS match that involved Nashville SC and Portland Timbers and how MLS compares to English soccer, and could MLS become a top league within the next few years. Finally, they end the show by discussing USA-England at the World Cup and how the future looks bright for America. 

London Underground/Piccadilly FC:

• Opportunities grassroots soccer brings: [2:54]

MLS' growth:

• Cem's first MLS game (Nashville v Portland Timbers): [18:53]
• Could MLS become a top league in a few years: [33:33]
• Where does MLS compare to the rest of the world: [37:00]

USA v England:

The future of American soccer: [44:15]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Piccadilly FC Social Media:

Twitter: @PiccadillyFC

Instagram: @piccadillyfc1996

With Philadelphia Union's End of The Season Press Conference on Friday, that marks the end of the 2022 season! Todd discusses his five biggest takeaways from the press conference that includes: Union's roster next season will have 27-28 players, tactical flexibility, Union will replace any players that leave in the January transfer window, Union won't stop players from going to Europe, and the number one priority next season. Todd also discusses what went on with the Cory Burke deal, why there is no need to panic, and how the Union's roster in 2-3 years could/should be better than this current roster!

Looking ahead to the future

• Union's progression since 2019: [1:41]

Top 5 takeaways:

• Expect 27-28 players on the roster next season: [6:40]
• Union's tactical flexibility: [20:40]
• Will replace players if sold in January: [30:36]
• Union won't stop players from going to Europe: [32:48]
• MLS Cup the number one priority next season: [36:33]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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United Soccer Coaches Presenters

End of The Season Press Conference

Venezuelan Take Over in Philadelphia (Jose Riasco ep)

And after battling back twice against LAFC, it wasn't enough for Philadelphia Union as they lose to LAFC in penalties in the MLS Cup. Todd records his thoughts straight after the game on Saturday, and after sleeping on the result gives an update on how he feels the game went. Todd talks about how he thought the Union dominated this game, but how unprecedented mistakes on set pieces cost the Union, how Cory Burke's injury changed the game, Andre Blake and his ability to read penalties, and the need of depth for this team. Finally, Todd breaks down the goals from this game and looks at the star players of the game for the Union. 

LAFC v Philadelphia Union:

• Overall thoughts: [0:45]
• Review Keys to The Game: [35:26]
• Goal Breakdowns: [39:20]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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The 2022 MLS Cup Final between LAFC and Philadelphia Union is finally here! Todd goes live on Twitter Spaces for this special episode and is joined by the Spaces regulars to talk all things Union and MLS. With MLS announcing the best XI, Todd and his Twitter Spaces guests take a look at the list and discuss who was snubbed and who shouldn't have been on the list? They also discuss how the Union got here starting in 2019, what stands out about the Union's historic 2022 season; it will be a failure if the Union doesn't win MLS Cup, and expectations for the match! 

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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MLS Gone Wild

THE PHILADELPHIA UNION ARE EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS! Todd discusses Sunday's Philadelphia Union v NYCFC Eastern Conference Final and talks about what stood out the most to him. Todd discusses the relationship between Union players and fans, and why it's not just some PR gimmick like in Europe. Todd also gives his thoughts on the latest MLS news that includes: Ben Olsen to be named Houston Dynamo coach, D.C. fined $25k by MLS for failing to comply with diversity hiring policy, MLS finds Taxi Fountas racial comments credible, 5 MLS clubs in CONCACAF Champions League, Hany Muhktar named MLS MVP, Inter Miami to finalize Leo Campana deal, and Messi to Inter Miami.

MLS News:

• Ben Olsen to be named Houston Dynamo coach: [3:35]
• D.C. fined $25k by MLS for failing to comply w/ diversity hiring policy: [6:43]
• MLS Taxi Fountas findings: [7:21]
• 5 MLS clubs to be represented in CCL: [9:30]
• MLS MVP: [10:16]
• Inter Miami to make Campana deal permanent: [12:38]
• Messi to Inter Miami: [14:12]

Philadelphia Union v NYCFC:

• Overall thoughts: [18:12]
• Fans and players relationship: [34:10]
• Review Keys to The Game: [39:36]
• 3 Stars: [41:20]
• Goal breakdowns: [42:40]

Blunder of The Week:

• Philly Media: [48:27]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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In a game that was always going to force someone unusual to step up, Leon Flach steps up in the most significant moment, delivering the game-winning goal as Philadelphia Union overcame FC Cincinnati in their first-ever MLS playoff run. Todd discusses his overall thoughts on the game and how the Union was able to get the decisive goal. Todd also looks at his keys to the game, and discusses his biggest three players on the night.

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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