After blowing a 2-0 lead, the Union survived in penalty kicks against the Chicago Fire, taking a 1-0 lead in the Round One best-of-three playoff series. Todd and José discuss the latest news, including Vancouver Whitecaps center back Tristan Blackmon winning MLS Defender of the Year over Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner. They share their thoughts on the Union's 4-2 penalty shootout win over Chicago, covering topics such as the Fire's time-wasting tactics early in the game, finding space down the right side of the field, Mikael Uhre's instant impact off the bench once again, and whether it's a good thing the Union went to penalties in their first playoff match. They also hand out Blunder of the Week to PTI's Michael Wilbon for his comments about MLS.

News:

• Tristan Blackmon wins MLS defender of the year: [4:19]

Philadelphia Union v Chicago Fire (2-2):

• Jack Elliott's golazo: [17:18]

• Two set piece goals conceded, zero from open play: [22:54]

• Chicago Fire's Time Wasting Tactics Early On: [31:31]

• Finding Space Down The Right Side: [36:26]

• Mikael Uhre's Instant Impact Off Bench Once Again: [47:09]

• Is it A Good Thing The Union Went to Penalties in Their First Playoff Game: [56:30]

Blunder of The Week:

• Michael Wilbon's Comments About MLS: [1:07:32]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

PK heroics! Philadelphia Union fend off Chicago Fire comeback

The Philadelphia Union will face off against the Chicago Fire in their best-of-three series. The Union won both regular-season matchups against the Fire by scores of 1-0 and 4-0. Todd and José are joined by Philadelphia Union Radio PxP announcer Dave Leno to preview the game and discuss several topics, including: Apple announcing that the MLS playoffs are available to all Apple TV users, how the Apple deal will involve MLS sharing its latest data after the regular season, the correlation between 2020 and 2022 compared to 2024 for the Union, and the moment Dave realized the Supporters’ Shield was possible for the Union.

Apple Makes MLS Playoffs Available For Free To All Apple TV Subscribers: [7:11]

MLS Announces Viewership Increase of 29% on Linear And Streaming Platforms (3.7 Million Live Match Viewers Per Week) - How Will The Apple Deal Evolve: [22:33]

Correlation Between The Union’s 2020, 2022, And 2025 Seasons: [35:10]

Philadelphia Union v Chicago Fire Best-of-Three Preview: [51:48]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/

Dave’s Social Media:

Twitter: @DaveLenoTV

Instagram: @davelenotv

MLS’ 30th Regular Season: Strength, Scale, and Unmatched Fan Engagement

The Philadelphia Union fell to Charlotte FC by a score of 2-0 in a game that didn’t matter for the Union positionally in the table, as they had already clinched the Supporters’ Shield. Todd is joined by José Nuñez to discuss the latest Union news, which includes Frankie Westfield’s performances at the U-20 World Cup, MLS 22 Under 22, and the selections of Jamir Johnson, Cavan Sullivan, Kellan LeBlanc, and Jordan Griffin to represent the United States at the U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Neil Pierre was also named MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year. Todd and José share their thoughts from the game against Charlotte, with topics including missed calls according to Carnell, Alejandro Bedoya potentially getting his final regular-season start for the Union, positives to build on from the second half, and who they’d rather face in the first playoff game—Chicago or Orlando City. Todd ends the show with Blunder of the Week, which goes to MLS for introducing AI to write match recaps.

News:

• Frankie Westfield’s performances at the U-20 World Cup: [4:08]

• Jamir Johnson, Cavan Sullivan, Kellan LeBlanc, and Jordan Griffin being selected to represent the United States at the U-17 World Cup in Qatar: [9:20]

• Neil Pierre being named MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year: [13:47]

• MLS 22 Under 22 list: [18:58]

Charlotte v Philadelphia Union:

• Alejandro Bedoya possibly making his final regular-season start for the Union: [28:00]

• Starting XI, should Carnell have started his starters or rotated: [33:28]

• Missed calls according to Carnell: [53:38]

• Positives to build on from the second half: [59:42]

• Who they’d rather face in the first playoff game — Chicago or Orlando City: [1:01:52]

Blunder of The Week:

• Chris Armas’ Unprofessional Response To Matt Pollard of Burgundy Wave: [1:15:00]

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

YouTube: The Free Kick

https://thefreekick.substack.com/

Jose's Social Media:

Twitter: @JoserNunez91

https://nunezj.substack.com/