The Philadelphia Union hosted and won their first U.S. Open Cup game since 2018, defeating USL Championship side Indy Eleven 5-4 on penalties after regulation ended tied at 1-1, with Alejandro Bedoya scoring the Union's lone goal. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the Union's victory, covering topics including: the Union's starting XI, which featured Cavan Sullivan and David Vazquez making their first-ever starts for the first team; Alejandro Bedoya scoring his first goal since May 4, 2024; how to assess Cavan Sullivan's performance; and Andre Blake's latest injury, though Bradley Carnell doesn't seem too concerned.

Philadelphia Union v Indy Eleven:

• Starting XI: [6:05]
• Alejandro Bedoya scores first goal since May 4, 2024: [21:30]
• Assessing Cavan Sullivan's first start: [30:13]
• Is MLS pulling away from USL Championship: [40:38]
• Andre Blake injury: [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/

The Philadelphia Union hosted and won their first U.S. Open Cup game since 2018, defeating USL Championship side Indy Eleven 5-4 on penalties after regulation ended tied at 1-1, with Alejandro Bedoya scoring the Union's lone goal. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the Union's victory, covering topics including: the Union's starting XI, which featured Cavan Sullivan and David Vazquez making their first-ever starts for the first team; Alejandro Bedoya scoring his first goal since May 4, 2024; how to assess Cavan Sullivan's performance; and Andre Blake's latest injury, though Bradley Carnell doesn't seem too concerned.

Philadelphia Union v Indy Eleven:

• Starting XI: [6:05]
• Alejandro Bedoya scores first goal since May 4, 2024: [21:30]
• Assessing Cavan Sullivan's first start: [30:13]
• Is MLS pulling away from USL Championship: [40:38]
• Andre Blake injury: [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/

The Philadelphia Union defeated CF Montréal by a score of 2-1, earning their third straight win. With that victory, the Union are off to their best start through 11 games, with 22 points. Todd discusses the game and talks about the Union's lack of chances but how they still found a way to grind out a win, Mikael Uhre's numbers against Montréal, and three straight weeks of strikers coming off the bench and scoring. Todd also discusses the Blunder of the Week, which includes the Colorado Rapids not flying Chris Armas out for their game against D.C. United.

MLS News:

• Jakob Glesnes and Andre Blake named to MLS' Team of the Matchday 10 for their performance against D.C. United: [2:47]

CF Montréal v Philadelphia Union:

• Union grind out the win, despite not creating a ton of chances: [4:36]
• Mikael Uhre five goals in six appearances against Montréal: [29:16]
• Three straight weeks a Union striker has scored off bench: [41:35]

Blunder of The Week:

• Colorado Rapids don't pay for charter flight to get Head Coach Chris Armas to D.C. for Rapids Game. Was inducted in National Soccer Hall of Fame early in day: [49:41]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union took care of business, beating D.C. United by a score of 3-0 thanks to goals from Jakob Glesnes, Danley Jean Jacques, and Bruno Damiani. With the win, the Union end a two-game home stand against Atlanta United and D.C. United, collecting the maximum possible six points. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to talk about the win, and they discuss several topics: getting goals from players other than strikers, winning against teams they should beat, and whether there is any concern about a lack of chance creation.

Philadelphia Union v D.C. United:

• Any concern with lack of chance creation the last couple of games: [5:37]
• Getting goals from other players that aren't the forwards: [21:36]
• Union winning against teams they should beat: [36:44]
• Quinn Sullivan interest: [43:37]

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 ended a three-game winless streak with a 3-0 win over Atlanta United, with Quinn Sullivan, Danley Jean Jacques, and Tai Baribo scoring. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss Quinn Sullivan's inclusion in MLS' Team of the Matchday for Week 9 and share their thoughts on the Atlanta game, with topics including Bradley Carnell's makeshift backline, Mikael Uhre starting over Tai Baribo, the Union's game plan against Atlanta, and Andre Blake picking up his 100th clean sheet for the Union.

MLS News:

• Philadelphia Union to face Indy Eleven in US Open Cup: [6:55]
• Quinn Sullivan named to MLS Team of The Matchday 9: [16:25]

Philadelphia Union v Atlanta United:

• Union backline - Westfield, Glesnes, Harriel, Wagner: [20:52]
• Andre Blake keeps third clean sheet of the season / 100th career Union career clean sheet: [28:19]
• Bradley Carnell starts Mikael Uhre over Tai Baribo: [39:06]
• Union's Offensive Performance: [52:16]
• Three Stars: [1:00:47]

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 Nuñez High School Playoff Goal

VOYCENOW Foundation and the Goalies for Good Initiative - Andre Blake Jersey

The Philadelphia Union fell to NYCFC by a score of 1-0, leaving the Union winless in four of their last five games. The biggest storyline from the game was Andre Blake's absence from the matchday squad due to an adductor injury, which meant Andrew Rick started his second game of the season. Todd discusses his thoughts on the game, covering topics including: the attack's recent struggles, a costly defensive mistake by another Union centerback, and the Union's current winless run. Finally, Todd ends the show with Blunder of the Week, awarded to Kylian Mbappé for his tackle on Alavés' Antonio Blanco.

NYCFC v Philadelphia Union:

• Andre Blake out of matchday squad due to adductor injury, should Union fans be concerned: [8:26]
• Olivier Mbaizo out of the matchday squad for first time this season with hamstring injury: [17:21]
• A draw would've been suitable: [22:09]
• What's happened to the Union's attack: [37:04]
• Another costly centerback mistake: [45:42]

Blunder of The Week:

• Mbappe challenge on Antonio Blanco: [51:36]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union shocked the MLS world when Tom Bogert first reported that the Columbus Crew had agreed to a deal with the Union to acquire Dániel Gazdag. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the deal and what it means for the Union's future plans.

• First reaction when it was announced Gazdag would be traded between Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew: [3:48]
• Other MLS Cash For Trade Deals: [18:27]
• Union Open Up DP Spot, Can Select Two DPs, 4 U22s in Summer: [36:32]
• Comparing Gazdag to Other 10s in MLS: [46:24]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

After beating Orlando City 4-2 in Week One of MLS play, the league's two highest-scoring teams played to a 0-0 draw at Subaru Park in Week Seven. The result puts the Union in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 4-2-1 record. Todd shares his thoughts on the draw, covering topics such as Orlando City's game plan, Frankie Westfield starting at right back while Nathan Harriel plays at left back, Bradley Carnell's substitution choices, and Ian Glavinovich tearing his meniscus—and what that injury means for the Union moving forward. Todd also discusses the Blunder of the Week, which involved James Tarkowski's challenge on Alexis Mac Allister.

Philadelphia Union v Orlando City:

• MLS' two highest scoring teams heading into the game: [5:32]
• Union starting XI (Damiani in for Uhre, Westfield right and Harriel left): [9:07]
• Carnell's sub choices/playing Uhre as a lone striker: [23:20]
• Orlando City's game plan: [33:38]
• Ian Glavinovich tears meniscus: [43:33]

Blunder of The Week:

• James Tarkowski Challenge on Alexis Mac Allister: [50:09]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union found themselves down 2-0 against Miami before Dániel Gazdag brought the score within one. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the Union's second loss in three games with topics including: The Union's starting XI, which included no Kai Wagner in the matchday squad with an abdominal injury, Union couldn't convert their chances, and are Chris Donovan's days numbered with the Union? Finally, Todd discusses Blunder of The Week, which includes the unprofessional question asked to Miami head coach Javier Mascherano.

Inter Miami v Philadelphia Union:

• Messi scores his fourth career goal against the Union: [5:46]
• More than just Messi and Cavan Sullivan in MLS: [10:56]
• Is MLS doing enough during Messi's tenure: [19:46]
• Union's starting XI: [21:16]
• Bradley Carnell's substitutions: [37:29]
• Union had chances, couldn't convert: [50:23]
• Chris Donovan's time is ticking: [1:01:28]

Blunder of The Week:

• Brandon Marshall's question at Inter Miami press conference / Inter Miami's lack of communication: [1:09:12]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Lionel Messi scores moments into Inter Miami return

Reading United AC 2025 Kits and Foundation Launch

The Philadelphia Union got a big goal from Ian Glavinovich off a Kai Wagner corner kick as they defeated St. Louis CITY 1-0. With that win, the Union have started 2025 with a 4-1-0 record in five MLS matches, tying their highest point total (12) in their first five games, which they set in 2022. Todd discusses Saturday night's victory and talks: Nathan Harriel shines unique role, Jakob Glesnes stepping up from last week's performance against Nashville, and the Union's depth getting the job done. Todd also shares his three stars of the night and the Blunder of the Week.

Philadelphia Union v St. Louis CITY:

• Union dominate in the first half / must win game against St. Louis CITY / Alejandro Bedoya update: [3:03]
• Union depth steps up: [14:47]
• Nathan Harriel shines in a unique role: [28:18]
• Jakob Glesnes bounces back from Nashville performance: [33:56]
• Three Stars: [46:12]

Blunder of The Week:

• João Klauss bumps into Bradley Carnell after the game: [55:15]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Bradley Carnell and João Klauss "Moment" [Picture Only]

Berhalter Ball - José Nuñez's latest MLS Article