The Free Kick

After last weekend's 2-1 comeback win over CF Montréal, the Philadelphia Union will look to earn back-to-back wins for the first time in 2026 as D.C. United visit Subaru Park on Saturday. MLS play-by-play commentator Nate Bukaty joins the show to preview Saturday's matchup. The trio discuss Nate's time as Sporting KC's lead commentator, what's gone wrong for D.C. United since their opening 1-0 win over the Union, whether the Union can build momentum after last weekend's game against Montréal, and what to do with Jesús Bueno, Danley Jean Jacques, and Jovan Lukic.

Background on Nate:

• Time at SKC: [3:16]

• How's the league evolved: [10:56]

Philadelphia Union v D.C. United preview:

• DC United's Season So Far: [13:58]

• Philadelphia Union's Struggles and Recent Momentum: [24:07]

• Tactical and Personnel Deep Dives: [52:38]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Nate's Social Media:

Twitter: @nate_bukaty

Instagram: @natebukaty

Perfect-Pitch-Kansas-Became-American

After starting the season 0-6, the Philadelphia Union picked up their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over CF Montréal. Todd and José discuss the latest news, including Nathan Harriel signing a new contract extension with the club through 2028-29. They also share their thoughts on the game, with topics including the Union's struggles in the first half, their turnaround in the second half, Ezekiel Alladoh providing a spark off the bench, and Jovan Lukic and Jesús Bueno forming a formidable partnership in midfield. Finally, Blunder of the Week goes to both FC Cincinnati and San Diego FC for red cards picked up in their last few games.

News:

• Philadelphia Union sign Nathan Harriel to contract extension through 2028-29, with option for 2029-30: [2:53]

CF Montréal v Philadelphia Union:

• Union's struggles in the first half, but turnaround in the second half: [11:03]

• Jovan Lukic and Jesús Bueno forming a formidable partnership in midfield: [27:36]

• Ezekiel Alladoh providing a spark off the bench: [48:41]

Blunder of The Week:

• FC Cincinnati & San Diego have received a red card per game for the last month: [1:03:25]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

José's conversation with Jesús Bueno

The Union look to turn around their disappointing season with at least a point against struggling CF Montréal this Saturday. The Union come into the match having lost all six of their games in MLS, while Montréal have not fared much better, losing five of their first six games to start the season. During the Union's last five games in Montréal, they hold a 2-2-1 record, including a 2-1 win last May. Todd and José are joined by MLS commentator on Apple TV, Jessica Charman, to preview Saturday's match. The trio discuss topics such as the key to the Union's struggles so far this season, what the Union's best lineup is in Jessica's opinion, and whether there have been any positives the Union can take away from their first six games despite being 0-6.

Jess' carrer:

• Key differences between radio and TV broadcasting: [7:27]

• Covering multiple teams at once: [12:00]

• Pronunciations: [16:50]

• One thing to take away from Spanish commentators that English commentators can apply to their calls: [23:54]

• Willie P shout out: [29:42]

CF Montreal v Philadelphia Union preview:

• Main takeaway from Montréal's game against New England last week: [37:20]

• Testing Thomas Gillier: [41:22]

• Getting the Union's forwards going: [45:24]

• Defensive pairings: [50:18]

• Any positives the Union can take away from their season so far: [54:00]

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

The Union's horrid run in 2026 continued Saturday night with a 2–1 loss to Charlotte FC, with the Union's equalizing goal lasting only a minute before Charlotte retook the lead through Wilfried Zaha. The Union's 0–6 start is the worst ever in MLS for a defending Supporters' Shield winner, and they are now three losses away from tying Toronto FC for the worst start in MLS history. Todd and José discuss the latest Philadelphia Union news, including Malik Jakupovic signing a homegrown contract with the club. They also share their thoughts on the match against Charlotte, covering topics such as: What exactly is the Union's best starting XI? How deflating is it to score an equalizer only to give it right back? And how do the Union's newest signings rank? Finally, Blunder of the Week returns and is awarded to Inter Miami for denying journalist Franco Panizo press credentials for the club's new stadium opening at NU Stadium.

MLS News:

• Philadelphia Union sign Malik Jakupovic to a contract as a Homegrown player: [17:45]

• The Union U18s won the Dallas Cup after defeating Botafogo in the final on penalty kicks: [28:55]

Charlotte FC v Philadelphia Union:

• Breaking down the goals: [33:20]

• How deflating is it to score an equalizing goal just to concede right away: [47:51]

• What is the Union's best XI: [58:21]

• Ranking the Union's newest signings: [1:13:00]

Blunder of The Week:

• Inter Miami for denying journalist Franco Panizo credentials for Miami's stadium opener of NU Stadium: [1:25:00]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union's historically bad start to the 2026 MLS season continued Saturday afternoon against the Chicago Fire with a 2–1 loss, marking five straight losses to open the season. During this stretch, the Union have lost their first three home games—a first in team history. Todd is joined by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Owen Hewitt to discuss their thoughts from the match, including the Union continuing to hurt themselves, how important this international break is for the team, what lessons Bradley Carnell can take from year two with St. Louis CITY, and the Union's two most veteran leaders being "stunned" by the horrible start.

Philadelphia Union v Chicago Fire:

• Historic bad run continues with open play chances lacking against Chicago: [4:40]

• Union continuing to hurt themselves (poor giveaways): [11:41]

• Importance of the international break: [28:06]

• Lessons from Bradley Carnell's second year season in St. Louis: [38:25]

• Veteran leaders "stunned" by the start: [52:05]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Owen's Social Media: BlueSky: oyounothing.bsky.social https://www.inquirer.com/author/hewitt_owen/

Twitter: oyounothing

Somehow, someway things continue to seem to get worse and worse for the Philadelphia Union as they fall to Atlanta United FC 3-1 in the battle of two winless teams. This marks a four-game losing streak to start the season for the Union, the most losses in a row to start a season for the club. Todd and José discuss their thoughts from the game and discuss: missed opportunities once again, does Bradley Carnell know his best XI, Carnell on the players needing to get back to the basics, and players needing to step up.

Atlanta United v Philadelphia Union:

• Union too easy to break down: [4:48]

• Missed opportunities once again: [28:13]

• Does Bradley Carnell know his best XI: [43:46]

• Back to the basics: [1:01:11]

• Players needing to step up: [1:06:44]

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 fell to Club América by a score of 1-0 at Subaru Park in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the Concacaf Champions Cup, marking the third straight loss for the Union in all competitions. Todd and José discuss their thoughts on the game, including the atmosphere created by América fans (with Union fans also not showing up), Bradley Carnell's unique lineup choice, switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation instead of the typical 4-2-2-2, and Carnell's halftime substitutions.

Philadelphia Union v Club América:

• Atmosphere by América fans, lack of atmosphere by Union fans: [2:18]

• Union's lineup: [18:50]

• Phillipe Ndinga debut: [28:58]

• Formation change: [33:17]

• Halftime subs: [41:15]

• Do the Union need more creativity: [52:03]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Starfinder Foundation

The Philadelphia Union fell to the San Jose Earthquakes by a score of 1–0, making it three straight losses to start the season for the club. It marks the first time since 2012 that they've opened a season 0–3. Todd and José share their thoughts on the match and discuss the continued lack of chances created for the forwards, the Union conceding yet another goal from the left back position, the absence of Cavan Sullivan last night, and how concerning the slow start is. Finally, Blunder of the Week goes to Brian Negro for his tackle vs. Independiente del Valle.

News:

• MLS releases GAM available: [3:22]

Philadelphia Union v San Jose Earthquakes:

• Union start 0-3: [8:52]

• Continued lack of chances created for the forwards: [18:50]

• Union conceding yet another goal from the left back position: [43:32]

• Absence of Cavan Sullivan last night: [53:04]

• How concerning is the slow start: [57:51]

Blunder of The Week:

Brian Negro for his tackle vs. Independiente del Valle: [1:09:03]

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 fell to the San Jose Earthquakes by a score of 1–0, making it three straight losses to start the season for the club. It marks the first time since 2012 that they've opened a season 0–3. Todd and José share their thoughts on the match and discuss the continued lack of chances created for the forwards, the Union conceding yet another goal from the left back position, the absence of Cavan Sullivan last night, and how concerning the slow start is. Finally, Blunder of the Week goes to Brian Negro for his tackle vs. Independiente del Valle.

News:

• MLS releases GAM available: [3:22]

Philadelphia Union v San Jose Earthquakes:

• Union start 0-3: [8:52]

• Continued lack of chances created for the forwards: [18:50]

• Union conceding yet another goal from the left back position: [43:32]

• Absence of Cavan Sullivan last night: [53:04]

• How concerning is the slow start: [57:51]

Blunder of The Week:

Brian Negro for his tackle vs. Independiente del Valle: [1:09:03]

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 lose their second straight game in MLS, falling 2–1 to NYCFC. The loss makes it four defeats in the last six meetings against the Pigeons for the Union. Todd and José discuss a variety of news topics, including Markus Anderson's move to Brooklyn FC and Philippe Ndinga joining the Union, both now official. They also break down MLS releasing each club's roster profiles for the spring of 2026. Todd and José then share their thoughts on the game, including the Union's inability to capitalize on transition moments, back-to-back weeks with a player sent off for dissent, and Union fans' frustration with Chris Penso's refereeing performanc. Finally, Blunder of the Week goes to MLS for not allowing monetization for reporters and creators who use snippets of press conferences in podcast episodes.

Roster & Transfer News:

• Markus Anderson's move to Brooklyn FC: [5:30]

• Philippe Ndinga joins Union: [9:04]

• MLS also released each club's roster profiles for Spring 2026: [17:23]

Philadelphia Union v NYCFC:

• Four losses in their last six games against NYCFC: [30:37]

• Referee Controversy: [37:02]

• Back-to-Back Red Cards for Dissent: [47:07]

• Missed Transition Moments: [55:59]

Blunder of the Week:

• MLS pulls podcast episode due to press conference clips: [1:07:15]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Transfers: Philadelphia Union Sign Young Left Back Philippe Ndinga from Degerfors IF

Philadelphia Union's 2026 Roster Breakdown

Brotherly Love Appearance on FOX 29