The Free Kick – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

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Episode 387 - Bedoya and Bender Re-Sign, Uhre Signs With Midtjylland

Season 1 · Episode 387

Monday, January 12, 2026 • Duration 41:52

In this episode, Todd and José break down the Philadelphia Union's latest roster news which includes: Alejandro Bedoya re-signing through 2026, Ben Bender earning a contract extension, and Mikael Uhre officially departs for FC Midtjylland. We dive into what these moves mean for the Union's strategy, culture, and direction heading into the 2026 season.

News:

Ben Bender re-signs through June 2027, with an option for 2028: [2:33]
Alejandro Bedoya returns for year 11: [9:10]
Mikael Uhre signs for FC Midtjylland: [21:35]
Development is an ecosystem rather than a straight line: [31:42]

Social Media:

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

Episode 378 – Carnell Coach of the Year, Glesnes & Wagner Best XI, Union to Sign Ezekiel Alladoh

Season 1 · Episode 378

Monday, November 10, 2025 • Duration 01:13:39

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]

Social Media:

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

Episode 292 - Controversy in Atlanta

Season 1 · Episode 292

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 • Duration 54:59

After being down by two goals, the Philadelphia Union are able to crawl themselves back and draw against Atlanta United 2-2, thanks to goals from Mikael Uhre and Kai Wagner! Todd breaks down the latest news in MLS that includes Kai Wagner and former Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Matt Freese earn Team of The Match Day Honors for week 9, and Julian Carranza and Daniel Gazdag on the verge of making history as the two teammates to score in the same game the most times. Todd also gives his overall thought's on this past weekend's match and discusses the Union's third goal being ruled off for offsides, Union score 6th set piece goal of the season, why Damion Lowe over Jack Elliott, Andre Blake injured again, and his three stars on the night!

MLS News:

Kai Wagner and Matt Freese earn Team of The Matchday honors for week 9: [
Daniel Gazdag and Julian Carranza on the verge of breaking history with most goals scored by a duo in the same game: [

Atlanta United v Philadelphia Union

Overall thoughts: [
Union's third goal ruled for offsides: [
Union score 6th set piece goal: [
Why Damion Lowe over Jack Elliott in the starting XI: [
Andre Blake injured again: [
3 Stars: [

Social Media:

Episode 291 - Magic In The Music City

Season 1 · Episode 291

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 • Duration 57:13

Fresh off their trip from Nasville, Todd is joined by Cem Toygar to discuss their experiences in Nashville and also to discuss the Philadelphia Union's 2-1 comeback victory over Nashville to make that three wins in a way now for the Union.

Experience in Nashville:

Cem's flight experience: [5:00]
VIP treatment + overall thoughts of Nashville: [7:38]

Nashville v Philadelphia Union:

Union away supporters: [20:13]
First Half: [24:51]
532 formation compared to 442 diamond: [34:00]
Players mentality: [45:11]

Where does MLS rank amongst other leagues

Championship level: [51:41]

Social Media:

Twitter: @CaptainTurk1982

Cem's Social Media:

Episode 290 - Down Go The Loons

Season 1 · Episode 290

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 • Duration 01:02:37

The Philadelphia Union make it back-back wins with their 2-0 win over Minnesota United, earning their first win of the season at Subaru Park. Todd goes over the latest news in MLS that includes: Cavan Sullivan set to sign a HG deal with the Union until he's 18, LAFC sign Maxime Chanot and Kei Kamara, and Jack Elliott, Matt Freese and Fafa Picault earn Team of The Macth Day honors. Todd also gives his thought's from Saturday's game with topics including: Should the Union sell Julian Carranza in the summer, Andre Blake's performance + injury update, Jack Elliott's MoTM performance, half chances created by Quinn Sullivan, Union return back to 442 flat formation, plus the Union deploy new set pieces on corner kicks.

MLS News:

Philadelphia Union are set to sign Cavan Sullivan to a HG contract + agreement reached with Manchester City: [
Maxime Chanot and Kei Kamara to LAFC: [
Jack Elliott, Matt Freese, and Fafa Picault earn Team of The Match Day honors: [

Philadelphia Union v Minnesota United:

Overall thoughts + should the Union sell Carranza in the summer: [
Andre Blakes performance + injury update: [
Jack Elliott MOTM performance: [
Half chances created by Quinn Sullivan + missed opportunities: [
Union play 442 flat: [
Union's set pieces: [
3 Stars: [

Social Media:

Episode 289 - Shortened Union Pick Up First Win Of The Season Against Portland

Season 1 · Episode 289

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 • Duration 41:35

Down eight players, six of those being starters, and the Philadelphia Union were able to find a way to beat the Portland Timbers 3-1, earning their first win of the season. Todd gives his thoughts on the game and discusses big performances from Oliver Semmle, Jeremy Rafanello, and Julian Carranza. Mikael Uhre's missed chances, but steps up big with a huge assist. Todd also talks about the latest MLS news including Cavan Sullivan's Union II debut, and Team of the match day honors for the Union.

News:

Cavan Sullivan makes Union 2 debut: [
Julian Carranza, Oliver Semmle, Jim Curtin all make MLS team of the match day for week 6: [

Portland v Philadelphia:

Overall thoughts: [
Jeremy Rafanello's performance: [
Mikael Uhre redeems missed chances: [
Oliver Semmle's performance: [
3 Stars: [

Blunder of The Week:

Kyle Almoney sleeping through the Union game: [

Social Media:

Episode 288 - A Point In The Live Music Capital of The World

Season 1 · Episode 288

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 • Duration 51:12

Another week, another draw for Philadelphia Union as they draw 2-2 against Austin FC in the first ever match between the two clubs. Todd discusses the news from around the league that includes Philadelphia Union academy player Cavan Sullivan close to signing with City Football Group, MLS to change the U22 initiative, Latif Blessing traded to Houston Dynamo and Ralph Priso traded to Vancouver Whitecaps. Todd also gives his thought's on Saturday's game with discussing the first half v the second half, Union break a scoreless streak from open play, and being sort handed against Portland Timbers. Finally, Todd ends the episode with a Blunder of The Year contender that involves FC Cincinnati and Queen City Press reporter Laurel Pfahler.

MLS News:

Cavan Sullivan to Manchester City: [3:14]
MLS to change U22 rule: [10:36]
Latif Blessing traded to Houston Dynamo: [16:29]
Ralph Priso traded to Vancouver Whitecaps: [17:35]

Austin FC v Philadelphia Union:

First half v second half: [18:57]
Union break a scoreless streak from open play: [28:04]
Union short handed against Portland: [31:36]
3 Stars: [35:00]

Blunder of The Week:

FC Cincinnati: [37:43]

Social Media:

Episode 287 - Union Suffer Worst Loss In Club History

Season 1 · Episode 287

Thursday, March 14, 2024 • Duration 01:02:49

Pachuca hand Philadelphia Union their worst loss in club history with a 6-0 defeat in leg 2 of their Concacaf Champions Cup match up. Todd is joined by Kyle and Jillian Almoney of The One Team We Agree On podcast to discuss their thoughts from Tuesday night's humiliating defeat. Topics that were discussed were lack of depth, conceding too many goals, did The Union quit, centerback issues, and is it time to panic 6 games into the season?

Social Media:

Kyle and Jillian:

Twitter: @totwag

Twitter: @Silly__Jilly

Twitter: @CoachAlmoney

Instagram: @theoneteamweagreeon

The One Team We Agree On

Episode 286 - Union Get A Huge Point Thanks To Replacement Refs

Season 1 · Episode 286

Monday, March 4, 2024 • Duration 53:47

Another week and more mess ups by the replacement referees in MLS! Todd breaks down this past Saturday's Sporting KC v Philadelphia Union match and talks about that controversial throw-in award to The Union instead of Sporting KC, which eventually led to a corner kick that the Union equalized on. Todd also talks about Jim Curtin's three subs at half time + Nate Harriel starting over Matt Real, Jeremy Rafanello's first MLS start, Alejandro Bedoya provides a spark off the bench, 3 Stars, and Blunder of The Week!

News:

Charlotte FC to sign Celtic's Liel Abada: [3:37]
FC Cincinnati finalizing a trade for DeAndre Yedlin: [5:00]

Sporting KC v Philadelphia Union:

Union gifted a gift from replacement refs: [10:53]
Union's three halftime changes + Nate Harriel starts over Matt Real: [25:19]
Jeremy Rafanello's first start: [33:06]
Alejandro Bedoya's spark off the bench: [37:56]
3 Stars: [43:03]

Blunder of The Week:

PRO/MLS lockout PRSA refs + initial ref for Inter Miami v Orlando City match pictured in Inter Miami jersey:[45:45]

Social Media: