The Free Kick

On Monday, Philadelphia Union II took on Côte d'Ivoire at Subaru Park in the African nation's final tune-up before the start of its World Cup campaign. Philadelphia Union II welcomed Cavan Sullivan back to the second team for the first time since 2025. The match also saw former Union II players and current college standouts Jojo Elliott (Delaware), Henry Bernstein (Maryland), Gavin Wetsel (Pittsburgh), and Daniel Krueger (Wake Forest) return to the fold. Most notably, however, the match marked the return of former Philadelphia Union midfielder Anthony Fontana to Subaru Park for the first time since 2021, when the Union lost 2–1 to NYCFC in the Eastern Conference Final. Todd and José are joined by Anthony Fontana to discuss Jim Curtin to Austin FC, Fontana's experience training with Union II over the past few weeks, playing in his first match at Subaru Park since 2021, what he hopes his next move is in his career, and the 2026 World Cup.

Jim Curtin announced as next Austin FC coach: [4:07]

Union II vs Ivory Coast:

• How the opportunity came about for Fontana: [23:25]

• Impressions of Union II / mentoring the younger players: [29:24]

• Walking out onto the field for the first time since 2021: [38:24]

• Being a captain while on the field: [52:50]

• Reaction to the applause when subbing in: [56:42]

2026 World Cup:

• Four former Philadelphia Union players in World Cup squad: [1:09:52]

• People criticizing Paxten Aaronson's move back to MLS: [1:15:15]

• Difficulties of transfers: [1:21:57]

Fan appreciation for Fontana: [1:31:13]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

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Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

José and Anthony's catch up last year

Anthony's social media:

Instagram: @fontana.99

The Philadelphia Union announced on Wednesday that they have parted ways with head coach Bradley Carnell after a 1-10-4 start in MLS this season. The club announced that Philadelphia Union II head coach Ryan Richter will serve as the interim head coach. The club also announced that Jon Scheer will serve as the clubs new Sporting Director after serving as the interim since March. Todd and José give their thoughts on all the news, as well as their thoughts on Principal Owner Jay Sugarman and Jon Scheer's Thursday press conference with the media.

News:

• Olwethu Makhanya named to South Africa World Cup squad: [5:07]

Philadelphia Union make sporting changes:

• Bradley Carnell fired after 1-10-4 start to season: [14:17]

• Ryan Richter named interim head coach of first team: [35:30]

• Jon Scheer Named as Sporting Director: [49:38]

• Ernst Tanner updates: [54:28]

• Upcoming transfer window: [ 1:15:55]

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 first half of the MLS season has come to an end, with the Philadelphia Union losing to Inter Miami 6–4 after blowing a two-goal lead. Todd and José discuss their thoughts on the match, with topics including Bradley Carnell's clear frustrations over the lack of depth on the Union roster, Carnell's second-half changes, and what the second half of the MLS season could look like for both Carnell and the Philadelphia Union organization as a whole.

News:

• Danley Jean Jacques named to Haiti squad for World Cup: [5:39]

• Olwethu Makhanya named to South Africa Preliminary squad: [9:10]

• Jovan Lukic linked to Leeds United and Celta Vigo: [15:58]

Inter Miami v Philadelphia Union:

• Goals scored / goals conceded: [20:12]

• Bradley Carnell frustrated with lack of depth: [36:34]

• What does the second half of the season look like for Carnell, Union organization as a whole: [1:02:17]

• Best Union players in first half of season: [1:16:19]

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 one last match before MLS pauses for the FIFA World Cup break, with the Union taking on the defending MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami. Todd is joined by Apple TV's lead MLS analyst, Jake Zivin. Todd and Jake discuss Zivin's career as the former TV play-by-play commentator for the Portland Timbers, Inter Miami's match against the Timbers, the differences between last year's Inter Miami squad and the current version of the team, how surprising the Union's poor start to the season has been, whether it is surprising that Bradley Carnell is still in charge after the Columbus Crew and Austin FC recently fired their coaches, and the Union's potential lineup against Inter Miami.

Jake's career:

• Working at Portland Timbers with Ross Smith: [2:16]

Inter Miami v Portland Timbers review:

• Keeping a clean sheet: [10:18]

• Differences between last year's and this year's Inter Miami team: [19:04]

Inter Miami v Philadelphia Union preview:

• How surprising is the Union's slow start: [27:00]

• Will Bradley Carnell still be in charge of the Union after Inter Miami game: [32:04]

• Union's potential lineup: [44:07]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Jake's Social Media:

Twitter: @JakeZivin

The Philadelphia Union remain winless in six home MLS matches after drawing 1–1 with the Columbus Crew, thanks to a goal from Milan Iloski that tied the game. Todd and José discuss their thoughts from the match, including the Union starting games in second gear, Ben Bender's performance at left back, whether Bradley Carnell will still be in charge by the Union's next home game in July, and assessing Carnell's second-half changes. Finally, they discuss Blunder of The Week for what may be the most obvious match fixing own goal ever?

Philadelphia Union v Columbus Crew:

• Union winless in six MLS home games: [11:01]

• Have we seen players progress under Bradley Carnell: [23:50]

• How can Union start games better: [38:40]

• Assessing Bradley Carnell's second half changes: [48:19]

• Ben Bender's performance at left back: [56:05]

• Will Bradley Carnell will still be in charge by the Union's next home game in July: [1:08:35]

Blunder of The Week:

• Mara Sugar FC own goal against Mathare United: [1:05:35]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

World Cup Philadelphia shirt by OliviaHSmith

The Philadelphia Union crawled back from being 2-0 and then 3-1 down to Orlando City to eventually fall 4-3 down in Orlando, as the Union now sit in last place in MLS with only one win in 13 matches. Jose is joined by Mark Kelkenberg to recap last night's Philadelphia Union loss.

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Mark Social Media:

Twitter: @MarkKelkenberg

The Philadelphia Union blew a 1–0 lead to the New England Revolution, losing 2–1 and extending their winless streak to five games. Todd and José discuss their thoughts from the match, with topics including the Union once again conceding a late goal for either the equalizer or the lead, Frankie Westfield suffering a hip injury, and the data finally catching up to the eye test.

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 are looking to continue their fine road form, where they are 1-1-1 in their last three away matches, as they head north to take on the New England Revolution. Todd is joined by USL Championship/NWSL commentator Mike Watts to preview the upcoming match, with topics such as: whether it's any surprise that the Union and San Jose Earthquakes are in their current positions, what has been the key for New England under first-year head coach Marko Mitrovic, Matt Turner's form, Bradley Carnell's lack of concern over Cavan Sullivan's frustration at being subbed off against Nashville, the partnership between Bruno Damiani and Ezekiel Alladoh, and what each team must do to earn three points on Saturday.

Any surprise for where Philadelphia Union and San Jose Earthquakes currently are: [9:48]

New England Revolution v Philadelphia Union:

• New England under Marko Mitrovic: [24:14]

• Matt Turner's form: [28:28]

• Carnell has no issue with Cavan Sullivan's frustration: [35:54]

• Bruno Damiani / Ezekiel Alladoh partnership: [45:52]

• What each team needs to do to win: [52:55]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Mike's Social Media:

Twitter: @MikeWattsOnAir

Todd and José were both able to attend Philadelphia Union training on Tuesday afternoon to interview Milan Iloski and Bruno Damiani. Both players talked about the positives from the club's last five games, with Damiani opening up about his recent struggles and the team overall staying positive and building confidence.

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Ian Glavinovich interview

The Philadelphia Union and Nashville SC played to a 0–0 draw on Saturday night at Subaru Park, leaving the Union still searching for their first home win this season. The Union created plenty of chances, with shots hitting the post, Brian Schwake denying them four times, and Jovan Lukić missing a golden one-on-one opportunity. With the draw, the Union have now gone undefeated in four of their last five games and remain in last place in the Eastern Conference. Todd and José discuss the latest news, including MLS and KKR, a leading global investment firm, announcing a strategic investment to accelerate the growth of MLS NEXT Pro. They also share their thoughts on the match against Nashville, with topics including Frankie Westfield and Cavan Sullivan's performances, Sullivan being subbed off, Geiner Martínez coming on for an injured Japhet Sery, and whether there have been enough positive signs for the Union to turn the season around.

News:

• MLS and KKR, a leading global investment firm, announce a strategic investment to accelerate the growth of MLS NEXT Pro: [3:35]

Philadelphia Union v Nashville:

• Union create multiple chances, unable to score: [16:13]

• Union haven't conceded in four out of last five games in the first half: [35:25]

• Geiner Martínez comes on for an injured Japhet Sery: [44:54]

• Frankie Westfield and Cavan Sullivan's performances: [49:56]

• Cavan Sullivan subbed off: [1:03:15]

• Enough positive signs to show there will be a turnaround: [1:17:26]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Ian Glavinovich interview