The Free Kick

Dean Costalas, the former Director of Soccer Analysis under Jim Curtin, has joined Austin FC, according to his own LinkedIn update. He’ll once again reunite with Curtin in Austin. A massive hire for Austin FC, and it raises the question: who else, either from within or beyond the Union organization, will Curtin bring in? #doop #austinfc #Sportsscience cc: @MichelleS_tv @austinfc @WeAreAustinTV @statesman

Check out the latest Goals Breakdown video from this past Saturday's Philadelphia Union - Seattle Sounders match. Quick ball movement out of the back, and Frankie Westfield playing a beautiful ball forward for Milan Iloski was the difference in the Union's 1-0 win. 📺 youtube.com/watch?v=WquiUa… #doop

Episode 423 - Milan Iloski Lifts The Union Over Struggling Seattle Sounders #doop #soundersfc #mls x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Every time Kai Wagner has been asked about Frankie Westfield, Wagner has always mentioned he sees a lot of himself in Westfield. Westfield talked after the match about being able to learn from Wagner as a teammate. "I think every single day, Kai’s definitely a guy I look up to. I know we play opposite sides of the field, but even when I was in the academy and I wasn’t on the first team or the second team yet, I was still looking up to Kai every single day, every single game or training, just to see what he does, because he’s the best left back in the league, for me. He’s a great role model, a great leader. That’s something I try to do every single day. So hearing him say that and giving me the kind words just like that, I think that makes my day, and it makes me strive for more. He’s definitely a guy I look up to every single day, and I hope to be like him one day." #doop

31' | GOAL MILAN ILOSKI!! Frankie Westfield with a perfectly placed ball forward for the streaking Iloski, who does well to chip the ball over Andrew Thomas. Philadelphia 1-0 Seattle #doop

Quinn Sullivan came off the bench Wednesday night against Red Bull New York, making his first appearance in 298 after he tore his ACL last season against D.C. United. Sullivan reflected post game about the chemistry between him and his younger brother Cavan. #doop | #usmnt

Richter Era Begins: Union Rediscover Belief in 3-1 Win Over Red Bulls “It’s positive momentum,” Richter said. “You could feel the energy in the stadium from everyone who was involved. And it’s so important for us to start this in the right way. But again, it’s one game. So we turn around in a couple of days and play again. And we have to approach it with that same fighting spirit in the next game. But for the first game, for me, it was all positive.” 🔗 thefreekick.substack.com/p/richter-era-… 📸 Philadelphia Union #doop

Live call in show if you want to discuss last night’s game. DM the podcast or @ItsAToddLife for link to call in! #doop

Episode 422 - The Ryan Richter Era Kicks Off With a 3-1 Win Over Red Bull New York #doop #mls x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Since I’m riding solo tonight, how about we do another call in show?! Live tonight at 9:00 PM to discuss last night’s 3-1 Philadelphia Union win over Red Bull New York. Topics: 🤩 Kai Wagner and Quinn Sullivan’s receptions 🤔 Is the Union attack finally back? 🔥 Ryan Richter brings the confidence factor 📺 youtube.com/live/gNOLs4faA… #doop

Kai Wagner has been named to MLS’ Team of the Matchday for Weeks 16 and 17 after his performance against Red Bull New York in last night’s 3-1 Philadelphia Union win. Wagner, in his first appearance since returning from Birmingham City last week, registered an assist while creating three chances and putting in a solid defensive shift with five interceptions and seven ball recoveries. Last season, Wagner led all Union players with four Team of the Matchday honors, and he becomes the fifth Union player this season to earn the honor, joining Olwethu Makhanya, Milan Iloski, Japhet Sery, Jesús Bueno, and Cavan Sullivan. #doop

By far Cavan’s best game of the season. Worth noting that Ryan Richter said after the game that he knows that both Frankie Westfield and Cavan Sullivan can be even better than they were last night against Red Bull. Belief and trust from a coach goes a longggg way.

66' | GOAL NEIL PIERRE!!! After just coming off the bench, Pierre towers over the defender and heads home a Kai Wagner cross. First time this season at Subaru Park in MLS that the Union have scored three goals. #doop

57' | GOAL INDIANA VASSILEV! Great cross from Frankie Westfield, and Vassilev's shot takes a little bit of a deflection and hits the back of the net. Philadelphia 2-1 RBNY #doop

44' | Bruno Damiani chance Oh Bruno.... he'll want that one back The perfect pass from Danley Jean Jacques to find Milan Iloski, who plays the perfect pass for Damiani. Philadelphia 1-1 RBNY #doop

38' | Goal Red Bull New York's Cade Cowell Nathan Harriel can't win the ball back in midfield, Ronald Donkor is able to split the line and find Emil Fosberg, and Cowell is left wide open as the Union lost their shape. Philadelphia 1-1 RBNY #doop

9' | GOAL MILAN ILOSKI! Kai Wagner plays in the cross with Ethan Horvath spilling the ball, allowing Iloski to have a wide open net. Only the third time this season the Union have scored within the first 15 minutes. Philadelphia 1-0 Red Bull New York #doop

Yeah, safe to say these Philadelphia Union fans are so excited to have Kai Wagner back. Wagner couldn’t stop smiling when the fans were applauding as his name was read by Kevin Casey. Worth noting that Indiana Vassilev and Bruno Damiani were both booed. #doop

Quinn Sullivan comes back from injury and will be available for selection for Wednesday night’s match against Red Bull New York. 📷: Don Robson | Philadelphia Soccer Now #doop

Philadelphia Union Return to MLS Action: A Fresh Start Against Red Bull New York Culture Reset Meets Must-Win Opener: Can the Union Turn the Page Against Red Bull New York? 🔗 thefreekick.substack.com/p/philadelphia… 📸 @carlgulbishpho1 #doop