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The Free Kick: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Todd Lewis
Maryland's Number One Philadelphia Union Podcast! The Free Kick is a weekly podcast hosted by Todd Lewis, in which he is joined by weekly guests that include MLS commentators and journalists from around the league. Each week consists of match previews, reviews, and news and rumors from around the league!
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- Yesterday54 min
Episode 424 - Can the Union Make It Three Wins in a Row against Last Place Atlanta? (feat. Jessica Charman)
After defeating the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Saturday and the New York Red Bulls 3-1 last Wednesday, the Philadelphia Union turn their attention to last-place Atlanta United, who are coming off a 4-1 loss to the New England Revolution.The Union will be hoping for their third consecutive win, which would mark the first time in 2026 that the club has won three straight matches. Joining Todd to preview Saturday's game is MLS Season Pass on Apple TV commentator Jessica Charman. Jessica shares her insights on what went wrong for Atlanta against New England and what has plagued the club throughout what has been an extremely disappointing season for the Five Stripes. Todd also discusses the pending moves of Olwethu Makhanya to Rangers in Scotland and Philippe Ndinga to Zulte Waregem. News: Olwethu Makhanya and Philippe Ndinga on the verge of leaving Philadelphia Union: [1:36] Atlanta United preview: [20:44] Will Ryan Richter rotate: [39:00] Social Media: 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
- 4 days ago1h 16m
Episode 423 - Milan Iloski Lifts The Union Over Struggling Seattle Sounders
Two games into the Ryan Richter era, the Philadelphia Union have two wins, edging the struggling Seattle Sounders 1–0 thanks to Milan Iloski's fifth consecutive game with a goal. Todd and José share their thoughts on the match and discuss several key topics, including Milan Iloski's outstanding run of seven goals in five consecutive games, Frankie Westfield's Man of the Match performance, and the players' buy-in to Ryan Richter's message. Blunder of the Week goes to FC Cincinnati's Gerardo Valenzuela for his red card for kicking Taha Habroune. News: Frankie Westfield named to MLS Team of the Matchday 19: [7:10] Philadelphia Union v Seattle Sounders: Overall thoughts / Andre Blake, Indiana Vassilev and Danley Jean Jacques impress again: [17:56] Milan Iloski's form: [30:30] Frankie Westfield continues to impress / young homegrown's Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre: [38:07] Players continue to buy into Ryan Richter's message: [58:00] Blunder of the Week: FC Cincinnati's Gerardo Valenzuela's red card: [1:01:36] Social Media: Twitter: @FreeKickPod Instagram: @FreeKickPod Facebook: @FreeKickPod YouTube: The Free Kick https://thefreekick.substack.com/ Jose's Social Media: Twitter: @JoserNunez91 https://nunezj.substack.com/
- 1 weeks ago1h 16m
Episode 422 - The Ryan Richter Era Kicks Off With a 3-1 Win Over Red Bull New York
The Ryan Richter era is officially underway, as the Philadelphia Union defeat Red Bull New York by a score of 3-1, marking the Union's first win under the interim coach, and their first win since April 11th. Todd and Jillian discuss their thought's on the game including: Kai Wagner and Quinn Sullivan's emotional returns, the Union's attack looking the strongest they have all season, the belief and confidence Richter brings to this group and taking it one game at a time. News: Kai Wagner named to MLS Team of Matchday 16+17: [5:30] Philadelphia Union v Red Bull New York: Kai Wagner reception: [10:25] Bruno Damiani and Frankie Westfield's misses: [13:53] Quinn Sullivan reception: [34:30] Union attack is back?: [39:17] Will the Union sign another player: [51:32] Ryan Richter brings a belief and confidence to the team: [1:01:44] Taking it one game at a time: [1:09:58] Social Media: Twitter: @FreeKickPod Instagram: @FreeKickPod Facebook: @FreeKickPod YouTube: The Free Kick https://thefreekick.substack.com/ Jose's Social Media: Twitter: @JoserNunez91 https://nunezj.substack.com/ Kyle and Jillian's Social Media: Twitter @Silly__Jilly Twitter: @CoachAlmoney theoneteamweagreeon.com
- 1 weeks ago1h 7m
Episode 421 - Recapping the 2026 Fifa World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially come to an end after a month of matches across North America. Todd is joined by Jasmine Ferreira and Mike Barrera to discuss their experiences throughout the tournament. Topics include volunteering with FIFA, attending matches as fans, and what the hope is for the United States going forward with soccer in the country. Photo: Carl Gulbish | Philadelphia Soccer Now Social Media: Twitter: @FreeKickPod Instagram: @FreeKickPod Facebook: @FreeKickPod YouTube: The Free Kick https://thefreekick.substack.com/ Jose's Social Media: Twitter: @JoserNunez91 https://nunezj.substack.com/ Jasmine's Social Media: Instagram: jasferreira23 Tiktok: jasferreira23 Mike's Social Media: Twitter: mbarrera1323
- 1 weeks ago33 min
Player Interviews: Kai Wagner, Nathan Harriel, Jon Scheer (7/18/26)
Todd was down at Philadelphia Union training on Saturday, for Kai Wagner's first interview with the media since he returned to the club from Birmingham City. Wagner discussed why he came back to Philadelphia, conversations with Sporting Director Jon Scheer, and reflecting on his time in Birmingham. Nathan Harriel shares his thought's on Wagner's return, leadership, and how Wednesday's match against Red Bull New York can be the turnaround the team needs. While Jon Scheer talks about re-acquiring Wagner, updates on Olwethu Makhanya, Neil Pierre and the clubs search for another forward. Social Media: Twitter: @FreeKickPod Instagram: @FreeKickPod Facebook: @FreeKickPod YouTube: The Free Kick https://thefreekick.substack.com/ Jose's Social Media: Twitter: @JoserNunez91 https://nunezj.substack.com/
- 1 weeks ago1h 7m
Episode 420 - Kai Wagner is Back With Philadelphia Union, What's Next For Club?
In a shocking turn of events, just six months after leaving the Philadelphia Union for Birmingham City in the English Football Championship, Kai Wagner has returned to the Union. He provides the team with much-needed stability in the backline, along with the leadership qualities it severely lacked in the first half of the MLS season. Todd and José share their thoughts on the news and discuss what could be next for the Philadelphia Union after sporting director Jon Scheer made his first major move. Kai Wagner is back: Philadelphia Union re-acquire Kai Wagner: [3:15] Is there an advantage of having Ryan Richter as interim head coach with the work he's had with Union II: [16:00] How vital will Wagner's arrival be for Alladoh: [20:56] Kai Wagner on not wanting to see the ship go down: [23:06] Jon Scheer on why Wagner made sense: [30:00] How much do you think it hurts Bradley Carnell to see Wagner back / will Quinn Sullivan play on Wednesday: [46:41] "We need stability. We need leadership. We need to drive competition within the group." - Jon Scheer: [52:24] Social Media: Twitter: @FreeKickPod Instagram: @FreeKickPod Facebook: @FreeKickPod YouTube: The Free Kick https://thefreekick.substack.com/ Jose's Social Media: Twitter: @JoserNunez91 https://nunezj.substack.com/
- Jun 30, 20261h 19m
Episode 419 - A Slew of Changes to Philadelphia Union's Coaching Staff
The Philadelphia Union have been busy over the last couple of weeks, with the club announcing the promotion of Paul Killian to Academy Director, Ben Moane, Fred da Silva, and Henry Apaloo to interim assistant coaches with the first team, and waiving Olivier Mbaizo. Todd and José share their thoughts on the latest changes at the club. They also discuss the FIFA World Cup so far, with the knockout stages kicking off. Fifa World Cup: World Cup games in Philadelphia: [5:44] USMNT v Bosnia: [34:52] Philadelphia Union fantasy camp: Overall thought's on media game: [43:26] Philadelphia Union coaching changes: Ben Moane, Fred da Silva, and Henry Apaloo to interim assistant coaches with the first team: [54:04] Philadelphia Union waive Olivier Mbaizo: Nine year career comes to an end: [1:02:32] Transfer plans for the Union: [1:09:22] Social Media: Twitter: @FreeKickPod Instagram: @FreeKickPod Facebook: @FreeKickPod YouTube: The Free Kick https://thefreekick.substack.com/ Jose's Social Media: Twitter: @JoserNunez91 https://nunezj.substack.com/
- Jun 11, 20261h 41m
Episode 418 - Anthony Fontana Returns to Subaru Park For First Time Since 2021 (feat. Anthony Fontana)
On Monday, Philadelphia Union II took on Côte d'Ivoire at Subaru Park in the African nation's final tune-up before the start of its World Cup campaign. Philadelphia Union II welcomed Cavan Sullivan back to the second team for the first time since 2025. The match also saw former Union II players and current college standouts Jojo Elliott (Delaware), Henry Bernstein (Maryland), Gavin Wetsel (Pittsburgh), and Daniel Krueger (Wake Forest) return to the fold. Most notably, however, the match marked the return of former Philadelphia Union midfielder Anthony Fontana to Subaru Park for the first time since 2021, when the Union lost 2–1 to NYCFC in the Eastern Conference Final. Todd and José are joined by Anthony Fontana to discuss Jim Curtin to Austin FC, Fontana's experience training with Union II over the past few weeks, playing in his first match at Subaru Park since 2021, what he hopes his next move is in his career, and the 2026 World Cup. Jim Curtin announced as next Austin FC coach: [4:07] Union II vs Ivory Coast: How the opportunity came about for Fontana: [23:25] Impressions of Union II / mentoring the younger players: [29:24] Walking out onto the field for the first time since 2021: [38:24] Being a captain while on the field: [52:50] Reaction to the applause when subbing in: [56:42] 2026 World Cup: Four former Philadelphia Union players in World Cup squad: [1:09:52] People criticizing Paxten Aaronson's move back to MLS: [1:15:15] Difficulties of transfers: [1:21:57] Fan appreciation for Fontana: [1:31:13] Social Media: 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 and Anthony's catch up last year Anthony's social media: Instagram: @fontana.99
About The Free Kick
Maryland's Number One Philadelphia Union Podcast! The Free Kick is a weekly podcast hosted by Todd Lewis, in which he is joined by weekly guests that include MLS commentators and journalists from around the league. Each week consists of match previews, reviews, and news and rumors from around the league!
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