The Free Kick

Tomorrow's game between Philadelphia Union - Chicago Fire will feature two promising centerback's for Bafana Bafana with Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Olwethu Makhanya. Bradley Carnell shared what makes Mbokazi such a special talent. "He has an incredible athletic profile. He's not the tallest centerback. He has a left foot and that's always like a gold mine if you have a left-footed centerback. And he's really strong. He's unassuming in his height, but he's really physical and he's got a good range of passing. And like I say, he's very athletic, he's strong in the tackle and he puts his body around. Listen, it creates attention, it creates awareness, especially at set pieces and what have you. We've done a focused and detailed job at looking at that, as we have [with] the whole team as well, though. But he's a really young talent for sure." #Doop | #BafanaPride | #CF97

Recently interviewed @PhilaUnionII head coach Ryan Richter about his growth in coaching and his role in developing players for the pro level. As a proud William Tennent alum, I'm looking forward to seeing Richter on the MLS sidelines soon. backyardpitches.com/william-tennen…

Excited to see that Tyler Trimnal has found a home at Forward Madison FC (albeit temporarily), as he is too talented to not be playing somewhere. A national champion with Clemson, a leader at South Carolina, and a member of the 2025 Vermont Green FC summer squad that went on to have an undefeated season, winning both the Northeast Division and Eastern Conference in USL League Two, and ultimately the championship. He could feature tonight against Flint City Bucks in the @opencup. #FMFC #SeasonEight #USOpenCup #doop 📷: @ForwardMSNFC

Despite being part of the preliminary roster, Olwethu Makhanya is not selected for the upcoming matches for the South African national team in March. #doop #bafanabafana 📸: South Africa FA

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

Late night press conference tonight with Philadelphia Union had coach Bradley Carnell, who was asked about being the underdogs in tomorrow's game against Club América. The Union currently trail the series 1-0. "We always try and punch above our weight. We're a club that stands for development. We stand for commitment to what we do in the game model and the philosophy. And we've really enjoyed this role. But there's by no means to say that the giant can't also fall sometimes and stumble, right? So we have to have a positive mindset. We kept the game really tight [at Subaru Park], and I think we have a very possible chance here. Their record has been three and three at home. So three wins, three losses since January. And we've analyzed this. We've had a look. It's a game where we can be excited. Because, you know, this is the game for us where we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Right now we didn't start the season as well as we should have or as we wanted to. And this is a game where we can put everything aside and only focus on a game where everyone expects us not to proceed. So this is a perfect game for us to play free, to play open and brave. It's all up to us tomorrow." #Doop

MLS has suspended Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1, 2026. Tanner can rejoin the organization should he successfully complete a league-approved restorative practices program. His initial suspension came on November 19, 2025, with this decision coming about 117 days later. #doop #MLS 📷: Mathias Mandl

All who would like to call in and vent their frustration, DM us on Twitter and we’ll get you guys in the show! #Doop

Bradley Carnell spoke after yesterday's 3-1 loss to Atlanta United yesterday, marking a first four-game losing streak to start the season for the Union. Carnell spoke on not executing on the chances created and the team letting themselves down with the basics. "I think when you get punched in the face once and then you get the penalty and unfortunately don't convert, then you're staring down the barrel of a result [and] adversity. And then again, I thought when Ale came on, he created a little bit of calmness. He created a lot of quality in certain moments. And then we started to get a little bit of a grasp on what we were trying to do and how we can execute it. And then, you know, I counted three, I think, in the second half where we had really good opportunities and really good moments and unfortunately just couldn't execute. And then, on a positive, we scored a goal from open play, which at least we broke that duck now. I just think it's about being braver in the final third to get balls in the box, especially when we're playing two strikers, framing the box, keeping it nice and tight, and to mitigate the transitional moments. But yeah, there's a lot of—I don't want to say anxiety—but there's a lot of that floating around, especially when things don't go your way. It feels like every bounce is going to the opponent. And how do you work that back in your favor? It's by doing the basics really well. And we're letting ourselves down with the basics right now." #Doop

“We want to travel [to Atlanta] with the energy that we expect and the commitment, and continue to be brave and executing the moments that got away from us against Club América,” Carnell said. Check out the match preview before today’s game between Atlanta United - Philadelphia Union. ⬇️ 🔗 thefreekick.substack.com/p/match-previe… 📸 Philadelphia Union #Doop

Union II are off to a 2-0 start, but face a big test tomorrow as they play CT United for the first time. My match preview for @totwag with head coach Ryan Richter's thoughts on the squad heading into the match (3pm/Subaru Park): #DOOP #MLSNextPro theoneteamweagreeon.com/2026/03/14/uni…

Twitter continues to not work with the livestream platform that @FreeKickPod uses. Here is the full conversation about the Club América match. Thank you to everyone who watched live. #doop #clubamerica #MLS #ligamx

We're live right now on YouTube, we're unable to go live on Twitter right now, so join us on YouTube! youtube.com/live/OfbknToh4… #Doop

At 9 p.m., let’s talk about that Club América game. - Ndinga debut - World Cup ending injury - Cavan Sullivan's creativity - No show from the fanbase - What is next? Join me and @ItsAToddLife LIVE on @FreeKickPod at 9 PM here: youtube.com/live/OfbknToh4… #doop #MLS #Vuelaelalve #ligamx #CONCACAF #USYMNT #USMNT

Andrew Rick on what he wants the team to take from the 1-0 loss to Club America: "This game proved that we can play against these guys... As a leader, what I want to get to the group is that we have nothing to lose, guys. Go out and do what we know how to do. I believe in every single one of them, and I know that we can all do it." Mountain to climb for the Union, but Rick has the right mindset. #doop #MLS #USYMNT #USMNT #CLUBAMERICA 📹: @CoachAlmoney

Milan Iloski spoke after Philadelphia Union's 1-0 home loss to Club América in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 first leg, addressing the need for a complete 90-minute performance and getting on the scoresheet. "The game is built on little moments. We're doing enough to score goals--it's just [about] getting the first one to go in. Right now it feels like it never will, but we have to believe that it is. I know there's probably a lot of frustration from fans and people, but I promise we're doing everything we can throughout the week to improve and try to [score] some goals. When we get that first one, it'll be really important and push the group to believe we can score more goals." #Doop

Bradley Carnell on the Union’s team-first mentality ahead of tonight’s Concacaf clash with Club América. #doop | #concacaf

Union's Rough Start: Chance Creation Without Conversion Spells Early Trouble Both Bradley Carnell and Frankie Westfield believe there has been progress in their recent performances, with Westfield believing the team is “close” to finishing off their chances. 🔗 thefreekick.substack.com/p/unions-rough… 📸 Philadelphia Union #Doop

Episode 397 - Union Start 0-3, First Time Since 2012 #doop #mls #quakes74 x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

The Philadelphia Union have started 0–3 for the first time since 2012, scoring just one goal from open play in their first three matches. After the game, Bruno Damiani shared his thoughts on why the Union have struggled to find the back of the net: “It’s not only one reason why we’re struggling [with] scoring. Today in the first half I think we really deserved [to score] a goal. “It’s just about details and we need to improve. Then in the second half when they scored[,] we just got so predictable that we didn’t have any chances. In that case, I think that’s a tactical thing we need to improve on. I already felt it in the last couple of games and I think the coach also knows that. I would say in those moments we need to improve to get more chances and to score goals. In the game, maybe it’s just about luck and details.” Question via Matthew De George, Delco Times #Doop