The Philadelphia Union started the Bradley Carnell era with a bang, defeating Orlando City 4-2 on the opening night of MLS. Four players made their Philadelphia Union debut, and Andre Blake appeared in his 300th game for the club across all competitions. Todd recaps the game and discusses the 4-2-2-2 formation and where the Union found success, Frankie Westfield's stellar debut, the three stars of the night, the Union's trade for Indiana Vassilev, and Blunder of the Week: believing faceless accounts spreading fake transfer rumors.

• News:

  • Official: Philadelphia Union Acquires Indiana Vassilev From St. Louis CITY For $1M in GAM: [4:03]

  Orlando City v Philadelphia Union:

  • Olwethu Makhanya, Frankie Westfield, Jovan Lukić and Ian Glavinovich Make Their Debut: [11:55]
  • Andre Blake Makes His 300th Appearance For The Club: [15:10]
  • Too Many Shots Concede / Breaking Down The Goals Conceded: [26:00]
  • 4-2-2-2 Formation / Union's Attack: [32:25]
  • Frankie Westfield Stars on His Debut: [45:30]
  • Three Stars: [54:00]

  Blunder of The Week:

  • The AP's glaring mistakes in their Union Review write up: [57:17]

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[Indiana Vassilev Thoughts on Bradley Carnell - KMOX Sports] YouTube Link

With the signing of Bruno Damiani now official, Todd and José Nuñez are joined by Daniel Solana of ARRIBA BOLSO to discuss what Damiani brings to the Philadelphia Union and MLS overall. Daniel brings a wealth of experience as part of the media covering Uruguay’s Nacional and discusses Bruno’s time with the Primera División giants, as well as his loan spell at Boston River last season. Todd and José also analyze the Union's overall roster and what moves need to be made to comply with MLS's February 21 deadline.

Bruno Damiani's playing style: [4:55]

Who's a good comparison in MLS to Damiani: [10:56]

Damiani's transfer market value compared to what the Union actually paid: [11:57]

Adjusting to stadium sizes in MLS: [20:50]

Damiani's rise through Nacional's academy: [22:57]

Union's squad age / getting roster compliant: [30:40]

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Daniel's Social Media:

Twitter: @danisolana5

https://www.arribabolso.com/

The Philadelphia Union are on the verge of signing Nacional forward Bruno Damiani for a club-record fee of $3.4 million, just a week before the start of their 2025 MLS season. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the club-record signing, as well as the Union officially announcing the Homegrown signings of Eddy Davis, Neil Pierre, and Frankie Westfield.

They also break down the Union's current roster situation: the team cannot sign any more players unless there are departures, and they still need to acquire an international roster slot. Additionally, they discuss the Union's 4-1 defeat to FC Cincinnati in their third preseason match.

Official: Philadelphia Union Sign Eddy Davis, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield to Homegrown Contracts: [2:54]

Philadelphia Union Finalizing Deal for Nacional 22-Year-Old Forward Bruno Damiani: [10:33]

Union's Roster: No More Signings Unless Departures / Acquiring an International Roster Slot: [25:50]

Preseason: Philadelphia Union v FC Cincinnati 4-1, Do Union Fans Have Right to Be Concerned with 0-3 Start: [51:35]

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Well, Philadelphia Union fans and media alike had a busy weekend with all the news surrounding the club's recent moves! The Philadelphia Union officially announced that they have traded Jack McGlynn to the Houston Dynamo for $2.1 million, plus a percentage of any future sale, with an additional $1.3 million going back to the Union if certain performance metrics are met.

José Nuñez reported that the Union are finalizing a deal to sign Serbian midfielder Jovan Lukić from Spartak Subotica. Todd is joined by José Nuñez and Mark Kelkenberg to break down these two major moves and analyze what the club’s current depth chart looks like.

News:

• Jack McGlynn traded to Houston Dynamo: [2:17]
• Union's out going transfers: [30:42]
• Union finalizing deal to sign Jovan Lukić: [36:56]
• Scouting Players: [59:43]
• Union's Depth Chart: [1:07:07]

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Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Mark's Social Media:

Twitter: @MarkKelkenberg

YouTube: @KelkenSport

https://kelkensport.substack.com/

The One Team We Agree On Episode: Apple Podcast

The One Team We Agree On Episode: YouTube

The Philadelphia Union returned to Chester after their two-week stay in Marbella, Spain, where they completed the first leg of preseason, taking on Slavia Prague and Aarhus Gymnastikforening. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the Union's first two weeks of preseason and which players impressed in the club's first two games. They also analyze Jack McGlynn's performance with the USMNT during the January camp, where he scored and assisted a goal against Venezuela. Additionally, they delve into reports of Eddy Davis receiving a Homegrown contract and speculate on Nelson Pierre's future at the club. Plus they discuss the BREAKING NEWS that MLS announced on Tuesday, stating that the Philadelphia Union WILL be back in the U.S Open Cup in 2025!

USMNT January Camp: Jack McGlynn Scores and Registers First Assist With National Team: [3:25]

What Player(s) Impressed You The Most In Spain: [14:32]

Eddy Davis (18) Reportedly Signs First Team Homegrown Deal / What Is Nelson Pierre's Future? Do the Union have enough striker depth: [32:41]

Philadelphia Union WILL Participate in 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: [46:27]

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https://nunezj.substack.com/

• With The Philadelphia Union now in Marbella, Spain for their two-week preseason trip, players will get their chance to impress under new manager Bradley Carnell. Todd is joined once again by José Nuñez to discuss the latest MLS news around the league including: Roster Rule Changes for 2025, Philadelphia Union's "Thank You Marlon LeBlanc" post, and the Union on FIFA's registration ban list over $700. Later on the show new guest to the show Ali El-Araby to discuss what exactly are the Union getting from their new head coach in Carnell.

  MLS News:

  • Roster Rule Changes: [3:45]
  • "Thank You Marlon LeBlanc" post: [13:23]
  • Philadelphia Union on FIFA's registration ban list: [19:10]

  Ali El-Araby breaks down his Bradley Carnell Article:

  • What are the Union getting in Carnell: [27:10]

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Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Ali's Social Media:

Twitter: @Tacticality_

Website: Tacticality Blog

YouTube: @tacticaiity

Todd is joined once again by Jose Nunez to discuss the Union's official announcement of Bradley Carnell as the next Philadelphia Union manager. They analyze quotes from Carnell and Ernst Tanner during his introductory press conference on Thursday afternoon. Additionally, they cover other coaching changes throughout the organization and review a report from Argentina detailing the loan terms of new Union center back Ian Glavinovich.

Philadelphia Union announce Bradley Carnell:

• Ernst Tanner on communication with young players: [5:46]
• Ernst Tanner says players were playing for themselves last season: [11:34]
• Bradley Carnell's 60-30-10 method: [21:02]
• Bradley Carnell on trusting young players: [29:11]
• Bradley Carnell has a better roster now with the Union than he did with St. Louis CITY: [33:03]

Union II + academy changes:

• Ryan Richter (Head Coach), Ross Cain (Returns As Goalkeeper Coach), Fred (Assistant), Henry Apaloo (Assistant): [36:03]
• Jamie Cleland joins Philadelphia Union academy as the new director of goalkeeping: [41:41]

New signings:

• Frankie Westfield to sign as a Homegrown: [43:25]
• Ian Glavinovich loan details: [46:43]

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Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

On this episode of The Free Kick, Todd and Jose dive into a trio of major updates involving the Philadelphia Union. First, they discuss the return of a club icon as the Union officially announce Alejandro Bedoya’s re-signing for the 2025 season, a deal that will mark his 10th year with the blue and gold. Next, they discuss the departure of former Union center back Jack Elliott, who joins the Chicago Fire on a one-year deal with a club option for 2026, concluding his eight-year tenure in Philadelphia. Lastly, the duo analyzes the latest reports linking Newell’s Old Boys center back Ian Glavinovich to the Union. Could the Argentine be the next addition to the club's backline?

The Union To Spend Part of Their Preseason in Spain: [3:45]

Philadelphia Union re-sign Alejandro Bedoya: [16:55]

Chicago Fire sign Jack Elliott to a one year deal: [34:05]

Ian Glavinovich linked with a move to the Union: [46:34]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/