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

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

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/

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/

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/  

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

The Philadelphia Union announced on Wednesday that they have parted ways with head coach Bradley Carnell after a 1-10-4 start in MLS this season. The club announced that Philadelphia Union II head coach Ryan Richter will serve as the interim head coach. The club also announced that Jon Scheer will serve as the clubs new Sporting Director after serving as the interim since March. Todd and José give their thoughts on all the news, as well as their thoughts on Principal Owner Jay Sugarman and Jon Scheer's Thursday press conference with the media. News: Olwethu Makhanya named to South Africa World Cup squad: [5:07] Philadelphia Union make sporting changes: Bradley Carnell fired after 1-10-4 start to season: [14:17] Ryan Richter named interim head coach of first team: [35:30] Jon Scheer Named as Sporting Director: [49:38] Ernst Tanner updates: [54:28] Upcoming transfer window: [ 1:15:55]   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/

The first half of the MLS season has come to an end, with the Philadelphia Union losing to Inter Miami 6–4 after blowing a two-goal lead. Todd and José discuss their thoughts on the match, with topics including Bradley Carnell's clear frustrations over the lack of depth on the Union roster, Carnell's second-half changes, and what the second half of the MLS season could look like for both Carnell and the Philadelphia Union organization as a whole. News: Danley Jean Jacques named to Haiti squad for World Cup: [5:39] Olwethu Makhanya named to South Africa Preliminary squad: [9:10] Jovan Lukic linked to Leeds United and Celta Vigo: [15:58] Inter Miami v Philadelphia Union: Goals scored / goals conceded: [20:12] Bradley Carnell frustrated with lack of depth: [36:34] What does the second half of the season look like for Carnell, Union organization as a whole: [1:02:17] Best Union players in first half of season: [1:16:19]   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/

The Philadelphia Union have one last match before MLS pauses for the FIFA World Cup break, with the Union taking on the defending MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami. Todd is joined by Apple TV's lead MLS analyst, Jake Zivin. Todd and Jake discuss Zivin's career as the former TV play-by-play commentator for the Portland Timbers, Inter Miami's match against the Timbers, the differences between last year's Inter Miami squad and the current version of the team, how surprising the Union's poor start to the season has been, whether it is surprising that Bradley Carnell is still in charge after the Columbus Crew and Austin FC recently fired their coaches, and the Union's potential lineup against Inter Miami.   Jake's career: Working at Portland Timbers with Ross Smith: [2:16] Inter Miami v Portland Timbers review: Keeping a clean sheet: [10:18] Differences between last year's and this year's Inter Miami team: [19:04] Inter Miami v Philadelphia Union preview: How surprising is the Union's slow start: [27:00] Will Bradley Carnell still be in charge of the Union after Inter Miami game: [32:04] Union's potential lineup: [44:07]   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/   Jake's Social Media: Twitter: @JakeZivin

The Philadelphia Union remain winless in six home MLS matches after drawing 1–1 with the Columbus Crew, thanks to a goal from Milan Iloski that tied the game. Todd and José discuss their thoughts from the match, including the Union starting games in second gear, Ben Bender's performance at left back, whether Bradley Carnell will still be in charge by the Union's next home game in July, and assessing Carnell's second-half changes. Finally, they discuss Blunder of The Week for what may be the most obvious match fixing own goal ever? Philadelphia Union v Columbus Crew: Union winless in six MLS home games: [11:01] Have we seen players progress under Bradley Carnell: [23:50] How can Union start games better: [38:40] Assessing Bradley Carnell's second half changes: [48:19] Ben Bender's performance at left back: [56:05] Will Bradley Carnell will still be in charge by the Union's next home game in July: [1:08:35]   Blunder of The Week: Mara Sugar FC own goal against Mathare United: [1:05:35]   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/   World Cup Philadelphia shirt by OliviaHSmith