The Free Kick – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

YouTube: The Free Kick

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Mark's Social Media:

Twitter: @MarkKelkenberg

YouTube: @KelkenSport

https://kelkensport.substack.com/

The One Team We Agree On Episode: Apple Podcast

The One Team We Agree On Episode: YouTube

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Episode 334 - Back From Spain, Who Impressed?

Season 1 · Episode 334

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 • Duration 01:05:56

The Philadelphia Union returned to Chester after their two-week stay in Marbella, Spain, where they completed the first leg of preseason, taking on Slavia Prague and Aarhus Gymnastikforening. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the Union's first two weeks of preseason and which players impressed in the club's first two games. They also analyze Jack McGlynn's performance with the USMNT during the January camp, where he scored and assisted a goal against Venezuela. Additionally, they delve into reports of Eddy Davis receiving a Homegrown contract and speculate on Nelson Pierre's future at the club. Plus they discuss the BREAKING NEWS that MLS announced on Tuesday, stating that the Philadelphia Union WILL be back in the U.S Open Cup in 2025!

USMNT January Camp: Jack McGlynn Scores and Registers First Assist With National Team: [3:25]

What Player(s) Impressed You The Most In Spain: [14:32]

Eddy Davis (18) Reportedly Signs First Team Homegrown Deal / What Is Nelson Pierre's Future? Do the Union have enough striker depth: [32:41]

Philadelphia Union WILL Participate in 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: [46:27]

Social Media:

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

YouTube: The Free Kick

Jose's Social Media:

Episode 325 - The Union Miss The Playoffs For The First Time Since 2017

Season 1 · Episode 325

Thursday, October 24, 2024 • Duration 01:03:43

With the Philadelphia Union's 2-1 loss to FC Cincinnati, that means no playoff soccer for the Union for the first time since 2017. What looked to be a promising start with a Quinn Sullivan goal in the second minute, defensive mistake cost the Union once more and saw their season come to an end. Todd goes over the latest news in MLS that includes: Should the Union sign Fabian Herbers, Union II to take on Crown Legacy, Jeremy Rafanello and Quinn Sullivan sign new long-term contracts with the Union. Todd also discusses his thoughts on the game against Cincinnati with topics: Union concede too many goals in the last five minutes in the first half, and the first five in the second half, Union's record against playoff teams in the Eastern Conference, Daniel Gazdag's injury changed everything for the Union, Jim Curtin's damning statement for players on the bench, and Kai Wagner calls out his teammates after the game.

MLS News:

Chicago Fire decline the option on Fabian Herbers, should the Union sign him: [6:12]
Union II to play Crown Legacy: [12:51]
Jeremy Rafanello signs a new contract with the Union: [16:25]
Quinn Sullivan signs a new contract with the Union: [19:53]

Philadelphia Union v FC Cincinnati:

Union's hot start against Cincinnati / scoring wasn't an issue for the Union this season: [26:02]
Union concede two goals on defensive mistakes, again: [28:24]
Union conceding within the last five minutes of the first half and five minutes into the second half: [31:26]
27 points dropped is the most in MLS: [34:44]
12 one goal losses this season + record against Eastern Conference Playoff teams: [35:48]
Daniel Gazdag's injury changed everything: [37:22]
Jim Curtin's damning comments about the players on the bench won't make a difference: [43:24]
Kai Wagner calls out players/owners after the game: [51:22]

Social Media:

Episode 237 - Shifting The Focus Back to MLS (feat. Steve Jolley)

Season 1 · Episode 237

Thursday, May 4, 2023 • Duration 31:56

The Philadelphia Union now ship their focus back to the league as the Union heads up i95 to take on New York Red Bulls in a game that has seen both teams struggle in front of goal early on. Joining Todd to preview this weekend's game is former MLS Veteran, and current NYRB Radio analyst Steve Jolley. Todd and Steve dive into high Steve got into soccer, Chicago Fire v New York Red Bulls, Cory Burke's impact so far for Red Bulls, the loss of Aaron Long, and the strong defensive start for the Red Bulls, why Red Bulls struggle to win games at home, and will each teams depth be able to step up this weekend with injuries?

Steve's background in soccer:

Local Virginia soccer stud both in High School and College: [2:30]
MLS' growth over the years: [5:02]

Chicago Fire v New York Red Bulls:

Resiliency from Red Bulls to earn a point: [7:15]
Left-sided struggles: [9:17]
Cory Burke scores once again against Chicago Fire: [11:15]

Aaron Long departure:

Strong defensive start: [14:45]

Struggle in the attack:

Only 7 goals in the last 10 games for Red Bulls: [16:35]

New York Red Bulls v Philadelphia Union:

Red Bulls struggles at home: [19:41]
Dealing with injuries + keys to the game: [26:43]

Social Media:

Episode 236 - Union Spacing Out

Season 1 · Episode 236

Thursday, May 4, 2023 • Duration 01:09:53

With the Philadelphia Union getting knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions League by LAFC, that calls for an emergency pod to discuss thoughts from the game! And what better place to do that than Twitter Spaces? Joining the pod are Andrew Diehl, Kyle, and Jillian Almoney from The One Team We Agree On Podcast and Zach LoBasso from Doop By The River. They discuss: Jim Curtin's questionable sub choices, the squad depth, Leon Flach and Oliver Mbaizo's struggles, did the Union play too conservatively, and undisciplined challenges.

Social Media:

thefreekick.net

Youtube: @The Free Kick

Andrew Social Media:

Twitter: @Real_Deihl

Kyle & Jillian Social Media:

Twitter: @CoachAlmoney

Twitter: @Silly__Jilly

Zach Social Media:

Twitter: @ZLOBO98

Episode 235 - Another Blown Lead Against LAFC (feat. Andrew Deihl)

Season 1 · Episode 235

Friday, April 28, 2023 • Duration 01:14:11

The Philadelphia Union and LAFC played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday, with LAFC scoring a late equalizer (again). Todd is joined by Andrew Deihl to discuss their thoughts on the game and discuss topics often discussed on Union Twitter that include: Any concern with the lack of playing time for Andres Perea and Joaquin Torres, three players that have stood out for the Union, and should the Union have added a striker at the deadline?

Andrew's soccer background:

How Todd and Andrew first got connected: [2:00]
How Andrew Got into Soccer: [7:06]
Andrew's thoughts on MLS: [9:52]

Philadelphia Union v LAFC:

Any concern that the Union can't close out games v LAFC: [17:49]
Jim's sub choices: [21:56]
Andres Perea and Joaquin Torres lack of playing time: [30:48]
Has Jack McGlynn taken Leon's starting spot: [39:00]
Three Union players that have stood out so far: [45:13]
Should the Union have signed another striker: [51:07]
Negatives against LAFC: [58:23]
Positives against LAFC: [1:04:43]

Social Media:

thefreekick.net

Episode 234 - Chaos is Perfect For Jose Martinez

Season 1 · Episode 234

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 • Duration 38:01

Make that three straight games in all competitions that the Philadelphia Union are undefeated in, with their latest coming Saturday against Toronto in a 4-2 victory! Todd discusses the Union getting back to that quick transition soccer that we saw last year, limiting Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne's chances, leading at halftime, Union making the most of their chances, and Jim Curtin's comments about Daniel Gazdag and Jose Martinez after the game.

Philadelphia Union v Toronto FC:

Closest Complete 90 Minutes of The Season: [3:32]
Limiting Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne's chances: [9:03]
Attacking Toronto's Right Side: [11:22]
Clinical Finishing: [14:58]
Mikael Uhre's big night: [22:40]
Daniel Gazdag's character: [24:42]
Jose Martinez Needs Chaos: [29:40]

Social Media:

thefreekick.net

Youtube: @The Free Kick

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Episode 233 - Two Goals in 2 Minutes Earns a Hard Point on The Road

Season 1 · Episode 233

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 • Duration 01:01:01

The Philadelphia Union FINALLY pick up their first result on the road in MLS with a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire, after going down by 2 goals! Todd gives his thoughts on the game and talks about the growth of the homegrown players as their roles become more defined in the team, why isn't Joaquin Torres and Andres Perea playing, and a fan breaks into the press conference?? Todd also discusses the latest news in MLS that includes, Eryk Williamson has suffers yet again another ACL injury for Portland Timbers, Inter Miami and CF Montreal agree to a HUGE trade, and FC Cincinnati agree to a sale of Brenner to Italian club Udinese.

News:

Eryk Williamson suffers ACL tear: [3:40]
Inter Miami and CF Montreal HUGE trade involving three players + GAM: [7:05]
FC Cincinnati agree to sell Brenner to Udinese: [13:07]

Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union:

Injury updates to Kai Wagner and Leon Flach: [17:21]
Andre Blake and "believe" moment (was that the turning point): [19:20]
Homegrown players step up: [27:11]
Where is Joaquin Torres and Andres Perea: [32:13]
Fan breaks into the press conference: [35:26]
Keys to The Game: [38:26]
3 Stars: [39:56]
Goal Breakdowns: [41:13]

Blunder of The Week (Year):

Dante Venzeir uses a "racial slur" in New York Red Bulls v San Jose Earthquakes match: [48:28]

Social Media:

Episode 232 - Vamos Philadelphia (feat. Twitter Spaces Guests)

Season 1 · Episode 232

Friday, April 14, 2023 • Duration 01:17:57

Our first Twitter Spaces of the 2023 season sees us discuss Wednesday night's Atlas FC v Philadelphia Union game as the Union advances to face LAFC in the semi-finals! We discuss the chemistry between Julian Carranza and Mikael Uhre, too wide open of a game, Jim Curtin pushes the right buttons with Flach, McGlynn, Harriel, and Real, and is the LAFC match-up the one that will kick start the Union's season? We also preview this Saturday's Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union match, and does it matter if the Union doesn't get a result?

Social Media:

thefreekick.net

Youtube: @The Free Kick

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Episode 231 - New Formation, Same Result

Season 2 · Episode 231

Sunday, April 9, 2023 • Duration 55:56

The Philadelphia Union FINALLY deployed three centerback's to start a game this season, but the result still stayed the same with their fourth loss on the season. Todd gives his thoughts on Saturday's FC Cincinnati v Philadelphia Union as Pat Noonan is able to get the best of Jim Curtin once more. Todd discusses Pat Noonan's strong praise for the Union for the way they defended, Jim Curtin's praise for the starting XI and limiting Cincy's talented front three, Daniel Gazdag's thoughts on why he's dropping deeper into the field, and is there concern from Ale Bedoya on the Union's lack of goals. Todd also discussed the latest news from MLS, including Jack McGlynn, Daniel Gazdag, and Damion Lowe earning Best XI honors for the first leg of the CCL quarterfinals, Union's u15 and u17's making moves at the GA Cup, and Apple worried about MLS numbers?

News:

Jack McGlynn, Daniel Gazdag, and Damion Lowe earning Best XI honors for the first leg of the CCL quarterfinals: [7:28]
Union U15 and U17's reach the final in the GA Cup: [4:32]
Apple "worried" about MLS subscription numbers: [8:14]

FC Cincinnati v Philadelphia Union:

Pat Noonan full of praise for the Union: [17:08]
Jim Curtin is happy with the starting XI's performance + Damion Lowe update: [26:02]
Daniel Gazdag dropping deeper into the midfield: [38:14]
Any concern from Ale Bedoya for the lack of goals scored from the Union: [40:53]
3 Stars: [44:40]
Goal Breakdown: [47:30]

Blunder of The Week:

LA Galaxy are a total meme club: [51:31]

Social Media: