Aaron

@JoserNunez91 @FreeKickPod @PhilaUnion @ItsAToddLife @mbarrera1323 It’s interesting that the stat doesn’t include academy, which one could argue is Unions biggest strength. Two academy players on USMNT with Trusty and Aaronson.

The CIES Football Observatory has released its global ranking of clubs most focused on long-term squad management, and Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) are one of just two MLS teams included in the top five. The index is based on four indicators: the number of players used in league matches over the past three years, with fewer being better, the average stay of current players in the first team squad, the average remaining contract length of those same players, and their average age at the time of signing, with younger being better. Based on this index, the Union rank above the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United. See the whole list here: football-observatory.com/WeeklyPost538 cc: @ELROLONW @NoahRiffe #doop #MLS #SEATTLE #Sea #sounders

@PHLUnionNation Well, MLS doesn’t have relegation…so not that worried.

The #Union are off to a horrid #MLS start. With this being the team’s worst start since 2012, how worried should fans be? #DOOP phlsportsnation.com/2026/03/09/how…

@MrSammyJames He’s our new Clint Dempsey!

I don't claim to have watched every game he's ever played, but Pepi does have a knack for scoring important goals at clutch moments. I don't think he's going to score 20 in a season, but I do have a feeling he will be a positive signing.

@ItsAToddLife @JoserNunez91 Yeah, I get it. I’ve seen it work elsewhere after a good base of followers is built. Also, I think timing matters. Ask soon after the game when interactions are at their peek.

@wiity_data @JoserNunez91 We’ve asked for questions before in the past and we’d barely ever get any participation

Thank you so much to all who commented and called in during last night’s show. If more people show interest in calling in, maybe it’s something @JoserNunez91 and me start doing more of in the future! #Doop

@Jimmyking35 As a FULPHL fan, I thought it was funny.

I think that’s Subaru Park in Chester, PA

@FulhamTransfer I think its worth a go to swap him in for Berge to start.

How did Lukic get on in his first app since returning from injury? 💭 I thought he was a bit rusty with a few passes but he did look to carry the ball forward, decent shot just wide. Glad to have him back. ⚫⚪#FFC

@FFCJoe If he had tried a bicycle kick then I’d agree he’s like his old self. Maybe he’s maturing as well.

Post-Parker has there ever been two poorer games back to back than that and West Ham? Rubbish game and got lucky twice to preserve a clean sheet tbh, created zilch down the other end too One positive -> Muniz looked a bit more like his old self

@scott_tanfield Thought Bassey was decent today and over the past few weeks. Could consider him a little lucky on the foul in the box that didn’t matter due to offsides. Andersen has been the one that’s been a little iffy.

A few of these players are a shadow of their former selves this season, Bassey being one of them #ffc

@PHLUnionNation Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

Bradley Carnell after this afternoon’s loss & conceding first yet again: “I think you know when you get punched in the face once and then you get the penalty and unfortunately don't convert, you know, then you're staring down the barrel.”

@CapnOA I agree with you. Not sure it’s Carnell. So many new players. Haven’t thought of it for the Union but is this one of those ‘build’ years we see in other pro sports?

Not saying I'm a fan of the "we aren't winning, fire the coach" approach but we just saw Oscar Pareja get fired after a 0-3 start for Orlando, despite being with them 5-6 years. When does Bradley start to get nervous? #doop

@Jimmyking35 It’s an interesting question now on whether they go hard at Club America or just completely give up on CONCACAF. Just as a matter of pride.

@wiity_data Not bad, gotta find a way to build on that despite the loss

It won’t make a difference in the result, but the Union FINALLY have their first goal from open play of the 2026 MLS season First MLS goal for new signing Agustin Anello Still 3-1 Atlanta United #DOOP

@mbarrera1323 Thoughts on Damiani? Feel he hasn’t been there this season. Having Iloski take the PK probably doesn’t help confidence.

Atlanta United gave up 2 or more goals in 3 games this season. The Union, in the 73rd minute, only have one shot on target (Ndinga). This offense is abysmal. Their defense isn’t much better #doop

@SoB_Evan I wonder if Sugerman kept Jim Curtain’s phone number. Not really.

atlanta's first win since august and first home mls win since may fucking embarrassing

@SoB_Evan You should see the second half!

that's among the most laughably bad halves of soccer I have ever seen. something has to change.

@pati_marins64 For those who (like me) weren’t sure were Bab el-Mandeb is. Also, it is slightly narrower at 20 miles than the Strait of Hormuz at its narrowest.

Houthis I don’t think it will be long before the Houthis announce the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. For an operation of this scale, they must have been planning it over the last few weeks, stockpiling anti-ship missiles, anti-aircraft systems, and various types of drones. It’s not just about closing the strait, but about being able to sustain that blockade against a naval task force that will certainly be deployed in response. As we had already predicted, missile launches from Iran haven’t stopped, and those from Yemen are unlikely to stop if a blockade is put in place. With two major straits closed, the war would escalate dramatically. This also raises questions about why Iran hasn’t closed the Bab el-Mandeb until now. Iran’s war strategy seems to follow several distinct stages. The first was to suppress fire from American bases in the Gulf countries and launch counterstrikes against Israel. The second focused on targeting radars, creating a missile corridor to Israel and toward a Saudi air base, while a counter-drone operation was launched to reduce surveillance over the territory. The third stage, it seems to me, focuses heavily on the economic aspect, further suffocating the Gulf countries by targeting their financial and corporate systems, which Iran views as U.S. partners in attacks against its territory. In this regard, only Saudi Arabia is currently exporting through the Red Sea around 50-60% of its oil capacity. In a scenario where much of Iran’s objective already seems fulfilled, this puts the Gulf countries in a position to put intense pressure on Trump to force an end to the war. However, the fact that Saudi Arabia is still exporting through the Red Sea lessens the Iranian pressure on oil prices. It is therefore very likely that the Houthis will step in shortly. Iran’s war should still enter a new phase of targeting key industries in other countries in the region, and by all indications, this conflict is far from over. Beyond what the US and Israel are doing, I don’t expect any major innovations. The idea of putting boots on the ground in Iran seems insane to me, but in this war, I no longer doubt anything.

@SoB_Evan Thought the ref was fine. Lots a stuff would have been called in MLS that he let go. Could quibble a bit here and there. At the end, it wasn’t what drove the loss.

Honestly, that second half was the best we’ve played this season (besides defence force) Ndinga looked great tough result, away crowd, shit ref the goals need to come from somewhere though.

@ItsAToddLife Yeah. The fans were fun in my end.

Both teams haven’t been great tonight, but at least the Club América fans have made a great atmosphere! #ConcaChampions

@JoserNunez91 I think you have it right. Technically didn’t need to stop but in the interest of fair play… yes. He was clearly in pain.

Oh my...did I see the back of that left leg shake for Luis Malagon, Club America's keeper? He clearly looks confused and backs away when he stretches his leg. A really bizarre play here that should NOT have been stopped, but it's tough not to stop it considering the potential for this injury. #doop #clubamerica #CCCFEVER #MLS 📹: CONCACAF YOUTUBE