The Philadelphia Union dropped their MLS season opener to D.C. United by a score of 1–0, with former Union player Tai Baribo scoring the lone goal of the match. Todd and José discuss the latest news, including the Union finalizing a loan to send homegrown midfielder CJ Olney to USL Championship side Brooklyn FC, and the club nearing a deal to sign left back Philippe Ndinga from Degerfors IF in the Allsvenskan. Todd and José also share their thoughts from Saturday's match and discuss topics such as Bruno Damiani and Ezekiel Alladoh's lack of touches in the penalty area, Alladoh's red card, and the MLS debuts of Japhet Sery Larsen, Geiner Martínez, Alladoh, Agustín Anello, and Finn Sundstrom. They also debate whether Cavan Sullivan should have a bigger role after his first two games of the season. Finally, they hand out the first Blunder of the Week of the new season, which goes to Concacaf for its "great" press conference setup.

News:

• The Union finalized a loan deal sending homegrown midfielder CJ Olney to USL Championship side Brooklyn FC: [2:53]

• Philadelphia is closing in on a transfer to acquire left back Philippe Ndinga from Degerfors IF in Sweden's Allsvenskan: [12:37]

D.C. United v Philadelphia Union:

• Tai Baribo's impact: [16:53]

• Attacking Rust & Final Third Woes: [22:55]

• Ezekiel Alladoh Red Card: [38:12]

• MLS Debuts Across the Pitch: [45:15]

• Youth Spotlight: Cavan Sullivan: [53:19]

Blunder of The Week:

• Concacaf's media quality after Defence Force v Philadelphia Union: [1:02:10]

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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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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]

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https://thefreekick.substack.com/

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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]

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https://thefreekick.substack.com/

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https://nunezj.substack.com/

The Philadelphia Union have officially wrapped up their multi-week trip to Marbella, Spain, with matches against Sigma Olomouc, FC Nordsjælland, and FK Budućnost Podgorica as the team prepares for the 2026 MLS season. Todd and José recap the Union's trip to Spain and discuss the latest club news, including Neil Pierre being loaned to Lyngby, the Union finalizing a deal for Markus Anderson to join Brooklyn FC in the USL, and Stas Korzeniowski signing a first-team contract.

Union abroad:

• Training Camp in Spain: [4:22]

Loans:

• Neil Pierre Loan to Lyngby Boldklub: [22:09]

• Union finalizing a deal to loan Markus Anderson to Brooklyn FC: [32:30]

New signings:

• Union sign Stas Korzeniowski to first team deal: [39:55]

Blunder of The Week:

• MLS to cut a quarter of Spanish-language broadcast talent on Apple TV: [52:35]

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https://thefreekick.substack.com/

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https://nunezj.substack.com/

There is no linear path in soccer, as each journey is unique and different from the others, and that's no different for former Philadelphia Union midfielder and current Louisville City head coach Danny Cruz. José sits down with Danny to discuss a wide variety of topics, including his time in Philadelphia, what made Sébastien Le Toux and Andre Blake so special, being surrounded by up-and-coming coaches like BJ Callaghan, Jim Curtin, Brenden Burke, and Mike Sorber, the 2025 season for Louisville City, and the overall state of the club.

• Louisville City's preseason plans against MLS opponents: [4:15]

• Danny Cruz on the early stages of the Union: [7:02]

• Could Danny Cruz sense Le Toux and Bedoya would have the career's they had: [10:57]

• What was it like to go from John Hackworth to Jim Curtin during the season: [13:37]

• Playing under up and coming coaches: [17:07]

• Has MLS Next Pro hurt or helped USL Championship: [21:57]

• Building through the academy: [27:47]

• How has being a coach changed Danny: [30:17]

• Not dwelling too much on the lows: [31:56]

• What is Danny most proud of during his time in USL: [33:40]

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YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

In this episode, Todd and José reflect on their recent interview with Kai Wagner and share their biggest takeaways from the conversation. They then discuss the Union's preseason plans abroad in Spain, before shifting focus back to Clearwater, Florida, where the Union will face SK Sigma Olomouc, FC Nordsjælland, FK Budućnost, Tampa Bay Rowdies, and CF Montréal. The conversation includes what fans should be watching for as the team moves closer to the start of the MLS season. Finally, they break down the Union's first press conference of 2026, where the recurring theme was clear: more signings are coming. What does that messaging actually mean, and how does it fit into the broader picture of this preseason?

Kai Wagner Interview Takeaways: [2:24]

Preseason Preview: Spain & Florida: [15:10]

Overall theme from Union first press conference of 2026: [25:33]

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 this episode, Todd and José sit down with Kai Wagner to reflect on his seven seasons with the Philadelphia Union — from his arrival as a relatively unknown player in 2019 to becoming a key part of the squad. Kai opens up about the challenges of the MLS Is Back Tournament, the highs and near-misses of the 2022 season, and the drama surrounding contract negotiations and coaching transitions. We also discuss fan speculation, life in Birmingham, and the moments he's most proud of during his time in Philly. A must-listen for Union fans and anyone curious about the inside story of one of MLS's most consistent performers.

• Arrival in Philadelphia: Signing in 2019: [3:26]

• MLS Is Back Tournament: Challenges as a new player: [6:20]

• 2022 Season: Reflections on near-success: [11:32]

• 2023 Contract Negotiations: "Pay Kai" and fan influence: [15:12]

• European Rumors: Staying focused amid speculation: [19:29]

• Coaching Changes: Jim Curtin to Bradley Carnell: [21:58]

• Early 2025 Transition: Teammate departures and team mood: [32:45]

• Life in Birmingham: On and off the field: [39:34]

• Legacy in Philly: Favorite moments: [49:23]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/