With the first round of the 2022 MLS Playoffs complete, the Philadelphia Union will see FC Cincinnati for a third time this second (second at Subaru Park). Once again Todd is joined by FC Cincinnati Play by Play, Tom Gelehrter (Tommy G)! Todd and Tommy discuss Cincinnati's historic regular season, and how Pat Noonan, Chris Albright, and Kyle McCarthy were able to turn things around so quickly in Cincinnati. They also discuss some of the key takeaways from New York Red Bulls v Cincinnati and look at the two matches between the Union and FC Cincinnati already this season. 

FC Cincinnati's 2022 Season:

• Winning helps: [2:01]
• Building a Union-like roster: [3:18]
• Cincinnati has The Union's number: [5:31]
• Cincinnati ahead of schedule: [16:30]
• Vazquez, Brenner, Acosta chemistry: [20:05]

New York Red Bulls v FC Cincinnati:

• Sergio Santos' impact: [8:36]
• Cincinnati defensively (Matt Miazga impact): [13:21]

Philadelphia Union v FC Cincinnati Preview:

• What stands out the most from the first two meeting's between these two clubs this season: [22:42]
• Keys to The Game: [29:29]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Tommy's Social Media:

Twitter: @Tommy_G

Instagram: @o3gs

4thfloorcreative.com

FC Cincinnati Playoff Preview

With the MLS regular season over and the playoffs about to start, what better time to go over some season awards? Todd is joined by Philly Union Nation's, Skyler Hoffner to discuss their Philadelphia Union and MLS awards. Categories include: Defender, Goalkeeper, Newcomer, Young Player, and MVP of the year, as well as most memorable/disappointing memory from the 2022 Union regular season. Todd and Skyler also discuss who they would rather face out of New York Red Bulls/FC Cincinnati, as well as predicting MLS Cup!

Union Awards:

• Defender of The Year: [
• Newcomer of The Year: [
• Homegrown of The Year: [
• Biggest disappointments: [
• Union MVP: [
• Top 3 moments: [
• Who to protect in the expansion draft: [

MLS Playoffs:

• New York Red Bulls/FC Cincinnati: [

MLS Awards:

• MLS best XI: [
• MVP: [
• Defender: [
• Goalkeeper: [
• Young Player: [
• Newcomer: [
• Comeback Player: [
• Coach of The Year: [

MLS Playoff Bracket:

• Will Philadelphia Union win MLS Cup: [

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

https://unitedsoccercoachesconvention.org/

Skyler Social Media:

Twitter: @Sky_Hoff3

Twitter: @PHLUnionNation

And just like that, the 2022 regular season is finally over! Todd discusses Sunday's Philadelphia Union victory over Toronto FC, as the Union broke yet again MORE records on MLS decision day. Todd also takes a look at MLS' Playoff schedule and who the Union will play on October 20th, should JP Dellacamera be included in the Union Ring of Honor, and choosing what MLS broadcasters get brought on board for the Apple deal. Finally, Todd wraps up the show with Blunder of The Week.

News:

• MLS playoff schedule: [3:49]
• Should JP Dellacamera be in the Union Ring of Honor: [12:30]
• How should MLS choose their commentators: [18:19]

Philadelphia Union v Toronto FC:

• More records broken: [29:32]
• Overall thoughts: [42:51]
• 3 Stars: [46:35]
• Goal Breakdowns: [49:35]

Blunder of The Week:

• Santiago Sosa suspended for a homophobic slur: [57:04]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

https://unitedsoccercoachesconvention.org/

When you're bad, you're bad, and after a 4-0 trashing, there's not many ways to analyze a game. It's been a little while since we've had a proper news segment, this time with three topics that include: United Soccer Coaches Convention in Philadelphia, MLS End of Season Nominees, and the MLS Expansion Draft. Todd discusses his thoughts from Charlotte's beat down of Philadelphia Union on Saturday, and how the Union has looked like a different team without Ale Bedoya. Todd also takes a look at how the Union plays after an International Break, and how they survived a potential injury scare with Jack Elliott. 

News:

• United Soccer Coaches Convention: [5:00-10:07]
• MLS End of The Season Awards Nominees: [10:08-16:42]
• MLS Expansion Draft: [16:43-24:49]

Charlotte v Philadelphia Union:

• Overall thoughts: [24:50-38:31]
• Goal Breakdowns: [38:32-48:17]

Blunder of The Week:

• NWSL Abuse and Misconduct: [48:18-52:08]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

https://unitedsoccercoachesconvention.org/

Unfortunately, no midweek preview of this Saturday's Charlotte FC v Philadelphia Union match, but we do have a midweek Twitter Spaces episode! Todd is joined by Ricky Zellefrow and Kyle and Jillian Almoney to discuss MLS' 22u22 list that sees three Union players on the list (Jack McGlynn, Paxten Aaronson, and Leon Flach), favorite moments in the BY|U (21-22 Away) jerseys, and best away trips they have been on as Union fans. Todd also discusses the Union's historic season with their shots on target percentage and where Daniel Gazdag and Mikael Uhre rank amongst the Union's most accurate shooters.

22u22: [2:48-22:30]

Favorite BY|U moments: [22:31-37:26]

Favorite Away Trips: [37:27-50:25]

Union's SoT %: [50:26-1:00:00]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

What a special episode in store for Union fans! Philadelphia Union goalkeeping coach Phil Wheddon joins the show to discuss his coaching career and how he ended up with the Union! Phil talks about coaching with the MetroStars and both the USMNT and USWMNT and getting the chance to work with some of the best goalkeepers in US history including Kasey Keller, Tim Howard, Brianna Scurry, and Hope Solo. Phil gives his thoughts on what makes the US so dominant at producing goalkeepers, and who he'd start for the US in Qatar at the World Cup. Phil also discusses how he got the job with the Union, his coaching style, what makes the Union's goalkeepers so good, and Andre Blake's MVP type season!

Phil's Coaching Career:

• Coaching at NY/NJ MetroStars and with the USMNT and USWMNT: [3:30-5:07]
• Coaching Tim Howard, Hope Solo, Kasey Keller, and Brianna Scurry: [5:08-8:13]

US Soccer:

• Why the US has always had good goalkeeping: [8:14-9:50]
• Who should start in goal for US in Qatar: [9:51-11:51]

Joining The Union:

• Phil's connection to Ernst Tanner: [11:52-15:12]
• Analytics: [15:13-17:43]
• Phil's coaching style: [17:44-19:44]
• What makes The Union's goalkeepers so good: [19:45-25:56]
• Shot stopping or distribution: [25:57-29:26]
• Andre Blakes MVP type season/other Union goalkeepers: [29:27-34:48]
• Andre's penalty kicks record: [34:49-39:16]
• Breaking the goals against per game record: [40:10-44:14]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Phil's Social Media:

Twitter: @philwheddon

Instagram: @philwheddon

Make that 5 consecutive home matches that The Philadelphia Union has scored 4+ goals, outscoring opponents 25-3! Todd talks about Saturday night's Philadelphia Union v Orlando City game and takes a look at The Union's home record since last September's CCL loss to Club America at home. Todd discusses: The Union finding multiple ways to beat teams, The Union's desire to always pass forward, and National Teams not calling players up because they play in MLS. 

Philadelphia Union v Orlando City:

• Overall thoughts: [12:06-31:28
• Review Keys to The Game: [31:29-33:45]
• 3 Stars: [33:46-37:02]
• Goal Breakdowns: [37:03-45:14]

Blunder of The Week:

• NYCFC OG v Cincinnati: [45:15-48:57]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

Twitter: @Real_Deihl

thefreekick.net

Another history-breaking weekend this week for Philadelphia Union as they defeated New York Red Bulls on Saturday. This weekend The Union broke their wins record on the road (7), most wins in a season (17), most points in a season (60), most shutouts in a season (13), and most goals in the regular season (63), all of that with 4 games remaining! Todd discusses his overall thoughts from the game, his keys to the game, 3 stars, goal breakdowns, and a failed panenka attempt. 

New York Red Bulls v Philadelphia Union:

• Overall thoughts: [15:38-26:34]
• Review Keys to The Game: [26:35-28:39]
• 3 Stars: [28:40-30:41]
• Goal Breakdowns: [30:42-36:03]

Blunder of The Week:

• Chicharito Panenka Fail: [36:04-40:35]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Flach Tackle on Fernandez

Another home match and another home victory for Philadelphia Union as they defeat Atlanta United Wednesday night! Todd breaks down the game and discusses what stood out to him on the night, including the horrible goalkeeping on display against The Union, and why The 2022 Union team will go down as one of the best in MLS history. Todd also talks about a play-play club soccer team whining about "money owed" to them for "player development". 

Philadelphia Union v Atlanta United:

• Overall thoughts: [8:47-30:20]
• Horrible Goalkeeping v Union: [30:21-37:22]
• Union's Shots on Target %: [37:23-42:51]
• 3 Stars: [42:52-45:24]
• Goal Breakdowns: [45:25-52:53]

Blunder of The Week:

• Bethesda Soccer Club: [52:54-1:00:48]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Mid Week Press Conference Previewing New York Redbulls

WOW, who would've thought we would reach 200 episodes of The Free Kick Podcast?! For this very special episode, Todd decided to go live on Twitter Spaces to talk about all things Philadelphia Union that includes: Philadelphia Union v Colorado Rapids, Lack of Center Back Depth for The Union, Union not getting the recognition they deserve from National Media, Ernst Tanner's impact, FiveThirtyEight's soccer rankings, and crowds at Subaru Park!

And again, thank you all for the support over the last 2 and a half years with listening to the podcast; I am forever grateful to every single one of you that has decided to check out the podcast; your support means more than you guys know! - Todd Lewis

Philadelphia Union v Colorado Rapid thoughts: [3:01-15:50]

Lack of Center Back depth a concern: [15:51-25:41]

Union not getting recognized for their MVP-type players: [25:42-48:32]

FiveThirtyEight rankings: [48:33-1:08:11]

Subaru Park Atmosphere: [1:08:12-1:17:01]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

MLS Gone Wild Podcast