The Free Kick

With the 2025 Philadelphia Union season officially over following their 1–0 loss to NYCFC last weekend in the MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Union have announced their 2026 roster decisions. Players under contract for 2026: Markus Anderson, Andre Blake, Jesus Bueno, Bruno Damiani, Eddy Davis III, Jakob Glesnes, Milan Iloski, Danley Jean-Jacques, Jovan Lukic, Olwethu Makhanya, Olivier Mbaizo, Sal Olivas, CJ Olney, Neil Pierre, Jeremy Rafanello, Andrew Rick, Cavan Sullivan, Quinn Sullivan, Indiana Vassilev, David Vazquez*, Kai Wagner, Frankie Westfield Option Exercised: Tai Baribo, Nathan Harriel Options Declined: Chris Donovan, Isaiah LeFlore, Nicholas Pariano, Oliver Semmle Players out of contract: Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, George Marks, Mikael Uhre In on-going negotiations: Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, George Marks, Mikael Uhre Todd and José share their thoughts on the roster decisions and discuss which positions the Union should look to strengthen for 2026.

News:

• Philadelphia Union Sign Indiana Vassilev To New Contract Through 2028: [22:00]

• Philadelphia Union Exercise Option for Defender Olwethu Makhanya: [26:43]

Philadelphia Union Roster Decisions:

• Options Declined: [34:54]

• In on-going negotiations: [45:00]

• What do the Union need: [1:05:23]

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Playing Against an Angry Messi! Scottish MLS Star Tells All… - Fozcast - The Ben Foster Podcast

The Philadelphia Union's 2025 season came to an end Sunday night, as they fell to NYCFC 1–0 thanks to Union slayer Maxi Moralez's goal. The main storyline from the match wasn't the goal itself, but the performance of former Union goalkeeper Matt Freese, who denied the Union on five separate scoring chances. Todd and José discuss the latest news, including Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner being investigated by MLS after a report published by The Guardian detailed allegations of sexist, racist, and homophobic behavior from Tanner spanning seven years during his time at the club. They also share their thoughts on the match, with topics including: how much the Union's 22-day layoff affected their performance, whether Frankie Westfield and Mikael Uhre should have started over Nathan Harriel and Tai Baribo, and how Matt Freese and Maxi Moralez continue to haunt the Union.

News:

• Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner being investigated by MLS after a report published by The Guardian detailed allegations of sexist, racist, and homophobic behavior from Tanner spanning seven years during his time at the club: [8:05]

Philadelphia Union v NYCFC:

• Why the lost is disappointing: [17:07]

• Did 22 days play a factor into why the Union lost: [35:28]

• Should Union have started Westfield & Uhre: [45:57]

• Mikael Uhre keeping options open: [58:30]

• Heroics From Matt Freese & Union Slayer Maxi Moralez Haunt Union: [1:05:25]

Blunder of The Week:

• Idrissa Gana Gueye red card for slapping teammate Michael Keane of Everton: [1:15:18]

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After sweeping the Chicago Fire in the first-round best-of-three, the Union turn their attention to NYCFC, who are coming off a thrilling Game Three win over Charlotte FC — with both victories coming on the road. NYCFC head into Subaru Park dealing with injuries to Andrés Perea and Alonso Martínez, as well as a suspension to Aiden O'Neill. Todd is joined by NYCFC Radio PxP commentator, host of The Coaching Academy on SiriusXM, and one half of The Sick Podcast – NYCFC Views, Glenn Crooks. In this episode, they discuss NYCFC's injuries and suspension, the club's strong road form, and which player(s) need to step up for each side to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.

Philadelphia Union v NYCFC:

• Will Long Break Negatively Affect The Game: [11:20]

• NYCFC Away Form in Last 10 Games: [19:34]

• NYCFC Injuries / Suspensions: [26:23]

• What Player(s) Need To Have A Big Game For Their Team To Move Onto Eastern Conference Final: [36:09]

• What's Been The Most Impressive About Matt Freese This Season Compared To Last: [43:32]

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Glenn's Social Media: Twitter: @GlennCrooks Twitter: @sickpodnycfc Podcast: The Sick Podcast - NYCFC Views

With two weeks still remaining until the Union's next playoff game, Todd and José discuss the latest Union news, including Bradley Carnell being named MLS Coach of the Year, Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner earning MLS Best XI honors for the second time in their careers, and the Union finalizing a deal to sign forward Ezekiel Alladoh from Brommapojkarna for a club-record fee of $4.5 million.

News:

• Jakob Glesnes & Kai Wagner Named to MLS Best XI: [3:42]

• Bradley Carnell Named Coach of The Year: [39:20]

• Philadelphia Union Finalizing Deal to Sign Forward Ezequiel Alladoh From Brommapojkarna For $4.5M: [53:38]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

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Jose's Social Media:

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https://nunezj.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union took care of business at SeatGeek Stadium, defeating the Chicago Fire 3-0 thanks to a brace from Tai Baribo and a goal from Bruno Damiani. With the win, the Union swept the best-of-three series against Chicago and now have a three-week break before facing the winner of Charlotte FC vs. NYCFC. Todd and José share their thoughts on the match, discussing topics such as: Tai Baribo scoring his first goals since August 23rd and what that means for his confidence, whether the three-week break is an advantage or disadvantage, the momentum shift after Andre Blake's penalty save, and what deserves credit for the Union conceding only two goals from open play in their last six games. Blunder of the Week goes to Chicago Fire fans for stopping the game multiple times due to derogatory chants.

Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union:

• Union beat an opponent four times in a season for the first time in club history: [4:13]

• Jeff Gal's Blunders: [7:14]

• Tai Baribo Scores First Goal Since August 23, How Important is it To Get Him Going: [14:07]

• Is a Three Week Break an Advantage or Disadvantage For Union: [23:36]

• Andre Blake saves penalty in 32nd minute, huge momentum swing as Union score third goal three minutes later: [42:30]

• Union Finding Consistency Defensively With Only Two Goals From Open Play Conceded in Last Six Games: [49:00]

Blunder of The Week:

• Chicago Fire fans stopping the game with derogatory chants: [1:05:00]

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https://nunezj.substack.com/

Union advance to MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal after completing first-round sweep of Chicago Fire

MLS Cup favorites? Philadelphia Union advance with flying colors

After blowing a 2-0 lead, the Union survived in penalty kicks against the Chicago Fire, taking a 1-0 lead in the Round One best-of-three playoff series. Todd and José discuss the latest news, including Vancouver Whitecaps center back Tristan Blackmon winning MLS Defender of the Year over Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner. They share their thoughts on the Union's 4-2 penalty shootout win over Chicago, covering topics such as the Fire's time-wasting tactics early in the game, finding space down the right side of the field, Mikael Uhre's instant impact off the bench once again, and whether it's a good thing the Union went to penalties in their first playoff match. They also hand out Blunder of the Week to PTI's Michael Wilbon for his comments about MLS.

News:

• Tristan Blackmon wins MLS defender of the year: [4:19]

Philadelphia Union v Chicago Fire (2-2):

• Jack Elliott's golazo: [17:18]

• Two set piece goals conceded, zero from open play: [22:54]

• Chicago Fire's Time Wasting Tactics Early On: [31:31]

• Finding Space Down The Right Side: [36:26]

• Mikael Uhre's Instant Impact Off Bench Once Again: [47:09]

• Is it A Good Thing The Union Went to Penalties in Their First Playoff Game: [56:30]

Blunder of The Week:

• Michael Wilbon's Comments About MLS: [1:07:32]

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PK heroics! Philadelphia Union fend off Chicago Fire comeback

The Philadelphia Union will face off against the Chicago Fire in their best-of-three series. The Union won both regular-season matchups against the Fire by scores of 1-0 and 4-0. Todd and José are joined by Philadelphia Union Radio PxP announcer Dave Leno to preview the game and discuss several topics, including: Apple announcing that the MLS playoffs are available to all Apple TV users, how the Apple deal will involve MLS sharing its latest data after the regular season, the correlation between 2020 and 2022 compared to 2024 for the Union, and the moment Dave realized the Supporters' Shield was possible for the Union.

Apple Makes MLS Playoffs Available For Free To All Apple TV Subscribers: [7:11]

MLS Announces Viewership Increase of 29% on Linear And Streaming Platforms (3.7 Million Live Match Viewers Per Week) - How Will The Apple Deal Evolve: [22:33]

Correlation Between The Union's 2020, 2022, And 2025 Seasons: [35:10]

Philadelphia Union v Chicago Fire Best-of-Three Preview: [51:48]

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Dave's Social Media:

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MLS' 30th Regular Season: Strength, Scale, and Unmatched Fan Engagement

The Philadelphia Union fell to Charlotte FC by a score of 2-0 in a game that didn't matter for the Union positionally in the table, as they had already clinched the Supporters' Shield. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the latest Union news, which includes Frankie Westfield's performances at the U-20 World Cup, MLS 22 Under 22, and the selections of Jamir Johnson, Cavan Sullivan, Kellan LeBlanc, and Jordan Griffin to represent the United States at the U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Neil Pierre was also named MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year. Todd and José share their thoughts from the game against Charlotte, with topics including missed calls according to Carnell, Alejandro Bedoya potentially getting his final regular-season start for the Union, positives to build on from the second half, and who they'd rather face in the first playoff game—Chicago or Orlando City. Todd ends the show with Blunder of the Week, which goes to MLS for introducing AI to write match recaps.

News:

• Frankie Westfield's performances at the U-20 World Cup: [4:08]

• Jamir Johnson, Cavan Sullivan, Kellan LeBlanc, and Jordan Griffin being selected to represent the United States at the U-17 World Cup in Qatar: [9:20]

• Neil Pierre being named MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year: [13:47]

• MLS 22 Under 22 list: [18:58]

Charlotte v Philadelphia Union:

• Alejandro Bedoya possibly making his final regular-season start for the Union: [28:00]

• Starting XI, should Carnell have started his starters or rotated: [33:28]

• Missed calls according to Carnell: [53:38]

• Positives to build on from the second half: [59:42]

• Who they'd rather face in the first playoff game — Chicago or Orlando City: [1:01:52]

Blunder of The Week:

• Chris Armas' Unprofessional Response To Matt Pollard of Burgundy Wave: [1:15:00]

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Jose's Social Media:

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https://nunezj.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union clinched the 2025 MLS Supporters' Shield with a gritty 1-0 victory over NYCFC, thanks to Mikael Uhre's lone goal. The Union set a new club record with 20 wins in 33 games, with one match still remaining. A win in their final game would also set a new club record for total points, bringing them to 69. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the Union's win over NYCFC and their clinching of home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by securing the Supporters' Shield. Topics include: Was that starting XI the best one moving forward? The Union's defensive emergence, how the Union won the Supporters' Shield (key wins and transfers), Andre Blake's thoughts on what he believes Bradley Carnell has brought to this team, and what winning the Supporters' Shield means to Alejandro Bedoya. Todd also ends the show with Blunder of the Week, which goes to MLS' Michele Giannone for asking Bradley Carnell about St. Louis CITY right after the Union clinched the Supporters' Shield.

Philadelphia Union v NYCFC:

• Was That Starting XI The Best One Moving Forward: [18:23]

• Mikael Uhre stepping up lately: [44:55]

• The Union's Defensive Emergence: [57:40]

• The Union's Supporters' Shield Journey: [1:01:44]

Blunder of The Week:

Michele Giannone Asks About St. Louis CITY After The Union's Shield Win: [1:37:00]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

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Jose's Social Media:

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https://www.goal13foundation.org/

The Philadelphia Union find themselves in the driver's seat once again, controlling their own destiny to win the Supporters' Shield. They took care of business comfortably against D.C. United, defeating them 6-0, while Inter Miami drew 1-1 with Toronto FC. Todd talks about the latest Union news, including Frankie Westfield being selected for the U-20 USA World Cup team. He also shares his thoughts from the game against D.C. United, covering topics such as injuries to Quinn Sullivan, Kai Wagner, Indiana Vassilev, and Jeremy Rafanello; Milan Iloski continuing to shine for the Union and his growing chemistry with Mikael Uhre; adjustments to Bradley Carnell's game plan following the early substitution of Quinn Sullivan; and, with two games remaining, whether the Union can close out the Supporters' Shield.

News:

• Frankie Westfield selected to the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team For 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup: [8:01]

• MLS release roster profiles for clubs as of September 18, 2025: [21:09]

D.C. United v Philadelphia Union:

• Union break more records against D.C. United / not going to overassess game: [26:00]

• Injuries to Quinn Sullivan, Kai Wagner, Indy Vassilev and Jeremy Rafanello: [40:24]

• Tactically adjustments once Quinn Sullivan has to be subbed: [49:55]

• Milan Iloski continues to shine + chemistry with Mikael Uhre: [57:35]

• Two Games Left, Can The Union Hold Onto The Supporter's Shield Lead: [1:07:07]

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Laughter, Smiles, and Support Define Union's 'Fearless 43' Celebration - Kyle Almoney