The Free Kick

The Philadelphia Union picked up a 3-1 win over Necaxa on Sunday night for their first win of Leagues Cup, ruining Julián Carranza's return to Subaru Park for the first time since June of 2024. Todd and Evan Konigsberg give their thoughts on the game with topics including: Julián Carranza's homecoming, are Philadelphia Union that bad, or is Necaxa that bad, and what does the future hold next for Cavan Sullivan? Plus, Todd talks about this weeks Blunder of The Week which includes a U20 game between USA and Mexico.

Philadelphia Union v Necaxa:

• Players progressing under Ryan Richter / Leagues Cup overall as a tournament: [11:50]

• Julian Carranza's homecoming: [30:13]

• Were the Union really good, or Necaxa that bad: [40:34]

• What's Next For Cavan Sullivan: [54:55]

Blunder of The Week:

• Chris Applewhite red card against Mexico U20: [1:10:03]

**Photo Credit: Don Robson**

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Evan's Social Media:

Twitter: @evanknowsball

https://philadelphiasoccernow.com/

The Philadelphia Union fell 1-0 to Cruz Azul in a match filled with controversy, as no penalty was awarded for what appeared to be a clear handball, and Cavan Sullivan seemed to be fouled late in the game. Todd and José share their thoughts on the match, including the non-penalty call, the Union's dominant second-half performance, and how the club should approach the remainder of the Leagues Cup after opening the tournament with a loss.

Cruz Azul v Philadelphia Union:

• Overall thoughts + Ezekiel Alladoh's lackluster performance: [5:48]

• How do Union approach rest of Leagues Cup with a loss: [17:45]

• Union dominated second half: [30:17]

• No penalty given in 89th minute for what looked to be a clear handball: [39:57]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Looking for your newest soccer jersey? Our friends over at Forbidden Closet have partnered with Icarus Football and Local Philadelphia designer Olivia Smith to design "Philadelphia Football" jerseys, inspired by Brazil's 1992 kit and France's 1982 kit. Preorder your jersey through August 9th.

In what will surely go down as one of the greatest games in Philadelphia Union history as they came from behind and defeated Atlanta United by a score of 3-2 with goals from Milan Iloski, Neil Pierre and Ezekiel Alladoh. Todd and José discuss their thoughts from the game including: Kai Wagner's Man of The Match performance, the difficulties of breaking down a low block, Ezekiel Alladoh's first career MLS goal, and Ryan Richter's substitutions. Finally, they discuss Blunder of The Week which includes a delusional soccer fan Todd ran into.

Philadelphia Union v Atlanta United:

• Overall thoughts: [7:10]

• Kai Wagner's Man of the Match performance: [29:39]

• Ryan Richter's substitutions: [35:23]

• Difficulties of breaking down a low block: [47:07]

• Ezekiel Alladoh scores first career MLS goal: [53:34]

Blunder of The Week:

• Soccer "fan" admits he's a fan of Barcelona and Real Madrid: [1:03:42]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Looking for your newest soccer jersey? Our friends over at Forbidden Closet have partnered with Icarus Football and Local Philadelphia designer Olivia Smith to design "Philadelphia Football" jerseys, inspired by Brazil's 1992 kit and France's 1982 kit. Preorder your jersey through August 9th.

After defeating the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Saturday and the New York Red Bulls 3-1 last Wednesday, the Philadelphia Union turn their attention to last-place Atlanta United, who are coming off a 4-1 loss to the New England Revolution.The Union will be hoping for their third consecutive win, which would mark the first time in 2026 that the club has won three straight matches. Joining Todd to preview Saturday's game is MLS Season Pass on Apple TV commentator Jessica Charman. Jessica shares her insights on what went wrong for Atlanta against New England and what has plagued the club throughout what has been an extremely disappointing season for the Five Stripes. Todd also discusses the pending moves of Olwethu Makhanya to Rangers in Scotland and Philippe Ndinga to Zulte Waregem.

News:

• Olwethu Makhanya and Philippe Ndinga on the verge of leaving Philadelphia Union: [1:36]

• Atlanta United preview: [20:44]

• Will Ryan Richter rotate: [39:00]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

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

Two games into the Ryan Richter era, the Philadelphia Union have two wins, edging the struggling Seattle Sounders 1–0 thanks to Milan Iloski's fifth consecutive game with a goal. Todd and José share their thoughts on the match and discuss several key topics, including Milan Iloski's outstanding run of seven goals in five consecutive games, Frankie Westfield's Man of the Match performance, and the players' buy-in to Ryan Richter's message. Blunder of the Week goes to FC Cincinnati's Gerardo Valenzuela for his red card for kicking Taha Habroune.

News:

• Frankie Westfield named to MLS Team of the Matchday 19: [7:10]

Philadelphia Union v Seattle Sounders:

• Overall thoughts / Andre Blake, Indiana Vassilev and Danley Jean Jacques impress again: [17:56]

• Milan Iloski's form: [30:30]

• Frankie Westfield continues to impress / young homegrown's Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre: [38:07]

• Players continue to buy into Ryan Richter's message: [58:00]

Blunder of the Week:

• FC Cincinnati's Gerardo Valenzuela's red card: [1:01:36]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

The Ryan Richter era is officially underway, as the Philadelphia Union defeat Red Bull New York by a score of 3-1, marking the Union's first win under the interim coach, and their first win since April 11th. Todd and Jillian discuss their thought's on the game including: Kai Wagner and Quinn Sullivan's emotional returns, the Union's attack looking the strongest they have all season, the belief and confidence Richter brings to this group and taking it one game at a time.

News:

• Kai Wagner named to MLS Team of Matchday 16+17: [5:30]

Philadelphia Union v Red Bull New York:

• Kai Wagner reception: [10:25]

• Bruno Damiani and Frankie Westfield's misses: [13:53]

• Quinn Sullivan reception: [34:30]

• Union attack is back?: [39:17]

• Will the Union sign another player: [51:32]

• Ryan Richter brings a belief and confidence to the team: [1:01:44]

• Taking it one game at a time: [1:09:58]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

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 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially come to an end after a month of matches across North America. Todd is joined by Jasmine Ferreira and Mike Barrera to discuss their experiences throughout the tournament. Topics include volunteering with FIFA, attending matches as fans, and what the hope is for the United States going forward with soccer in the country.

Photo: Carl Gulbish | Philadelphia Soccer Now

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Jasmine's Social Media:

Instagram: jasferreira23

Tiktok: jasferreira23

Mike's Social Media:

Twitter: mbarrera1323

Todd was down at Philadelphia Union training on Saturday, for Kai Wagner's first interview with the media since he returned to the club from Birmingham City. Wagner discussed why he came back to Philadelphia, conversations with Sporting Director Jon Scheer, and reflecting on his time in Birmingham. Nathan Harriel shares his thought's on Wagner's return, leadership, and how Wednesday's match against Red Bull New York can be the turnaround the team needs. While Jon Scheer talks about re-acquiring Wagner, updates on Olwethu Makhanya, Neil Pierre and the clubs search for another forward.

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

In a shocking turn of events, just six months after leaving the Philadelphia Union for Birmingham City in the English Football Championship, Kai Wagner has returned to the Union. He provides the team with much-needed stability in the backline, along with the leadership qualities it severely lacked in the first half of the MLS season. Todd and José share their thoughts on the news and discuss what could be next for the Philadelphia Union after sporting director Jon Scheer made his first major move.

Kai Wagner is back:

• Philadelphia Union re-acquire Kai Wagner: [3:15]

• Is there an advantage of having Ryan Richter as interim head coach with the work he's had with Union II: [16:00]

• How vital will Wagner's arrival be for Alladoh: [20:56]

• Kai Wagner on not wanting to see the ship go down: [23:06]

• Jon Scheer on why Wagner made sense: [30:00]

• How much do you think it hurts Bradley Carnell to see Wagner back / will Quinn Sullivan play on Wednesday: [46:41]

• "We need stability. We need leadership. We need to drive competition within the group." - Jon Scheer: [52:24]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union have been busy over the last couple of weeks, with the club announcing the promotion of Paul Killian to Academy Director, Ben Moane, Fred da Silva, and Henry Apaloo to interim assistant coaches with the first team, and waiving Olivier Mbaizo. Todd and José share their thoughts on the latest changes at the club. They also discuss the FIFA World Cup so far, with the knockout stages kicking off.

Fifa World Cup:

• World Cup games in Philadelphia: [5:44]

• USMNT v Bosnia: [34:52]

Philadelphia Union fantasy camp:

• Overall thought's on media game: [43:26]

Philadelphia Union coaching changes:

• Ben Moane, Fred da Silva, and Henry Apaloo to interim assistant coaches with the first team: [54:04]

Philadelphia Union waive Olivier Mbaizo:

• Nine year career comes to an end: [1:02:32]

• Transfer plans for the Union: [1:09:22]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/