The Philadelphia Union started their 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup campaign against Defence Force with a bang, defeating them 5–0. The victory saw Ezekiel Alladoh score on his Union debut, while Bruno Damiani recorded a brace and Milan Iloski and Olwethu Makhanya also found the back of the net. Todd breaks down the match and discusses topics such as how to take positives from a game that was so lopsided, Milan Iloski earning "Superior Player of the Game," how high his ceiling is this season, and how to approach the second leg next Thursday. Todd also briefly previews this Saturday's MLS season opener against D.C. United and shares his predictions for where he believes the Philadelphia Union will finish the 2026 season.

Defence Force v Philadelphia Union:

• Lineup: [4:38]

• Match Breakdown: 5 Goals = Total Control: [14:28]

• How Do You Evaluate a Lopsided Game: [24:16]

• Milan Iloski's Ceiling in 2026: [35:50]

• Second Leg Approach: [50:12]

D.C. United v Philadelphia Union preview:

• Predictions: [53:50]

• Injury updates: [59:30]

• 2026 predictions: [1:03:24]

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Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union have continued to stay busy this offseason, signing Colombian center back Geiner Martínez from Uruguayan side Juventud and American-born forward Agustín Anello from Uruguayan club Boston River. Todd and José are joined by Daniel Solana, who covers Nacional for ARRIBA BOLSO! Daniel gives the rundown on both signings and what kind of impact Union fans can expect from their latest additions from Uruguay. Afterwards, Todd and José discuss Bradley Carnell's injury update on Indiana Vassilev, Finn Sundstrom, Eddy Davis and Milan Iloski, plus Bruno Damiani missing from last two games due to in the process of obtaining U.S. Green Card. Afterwards, Todd and José discuss Bradley Carnell's injury updates on Indiana Vassilev, Finn Sundstrom, Eddy Davis, and Milan Iloski, plus Bruno Damiani missing the last two games as he is in the process of obtaining his U.S. green card.

Geiner Martínez:

• Reputation in Liga AUF Uruguaya? -- play style? -- starter right away or more developmental: [5:07]

Agustín Anello:

• How was Anello received at Boston River? --

  Play style? -- Better suited as a 10 or second striker? -- Career path — Europe, Uruguay, MLS: [21:36]

• Uruguay to MLS pipeline: [36:25]

Jersey rankings:

• José's best and worse kits of MLS in 2026: [41:50]

Bradley Carnell presser updates:

• Bruno Damiani in process of obtaining U.S. Green Card: [55:00]

• Injury updates: [1:04:35]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Solana's Social Media:
Twitter: @DiceElDan
https://www.arribabolso.com/

Jersey Ranker

The Philadelphia Union kicked off the first of two preseason games in Clearwater, Florida with a 2–0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, with Alejandro Bedoya and Danley Jean Jacques getting on the scoresheet for the Boys in Blue. Todd and José discuss the Union II–heavy lineup in the first half of the match, as well as Geiner Martínez making his first-team debut after being announced last week as the Union's fourth signing of the offseason. They also talk about what they want to see in Tuesday's final preseason match against CF Montréal before the Union take on Defence Force in the Concacaf Champions Cup on February 18 in the first leg of a two-match series, and they discuss the Union kit leak believed to be the club's new primary kit.

Philadelphia Union Defeat Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0:

• Starting XI very Union II heavy: [7:38]

• Andrew Rick saves yet again another penalty: [19:04]

Philadelphia Union v CF Montréal last preseason game:

• What do you want to see in last preseason game tomorrow against CF Montréal: [39:03]

Union kit leak:

• What do we think of the kit: [53:31]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/