Todd Lewis

Host of @FreeKickPod ⚽️ | Philadelphia Union Beat Reporter | Member of @soccerreporters | Isaiah 55:8-9

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

The Union found themselves behind for only the fifth time in 16 games under interim head coach Ryan Richter. The Union pushed for the equalizing goal late into stoppage time, but it wasn't enough as they fell 2-1, ending their 15-game unbeaten streak.

Frankie Westfield talked about the grit of his team pushing for the equalizer.

"I think it’s very important to look at. We’re not going to give up. We haven’t given up this whole second half of the season. We’ve come from behind, and we know we can come back in big games like this. I think it’s going to help us move forward. Augie had a big chance. I had a couple big chances. Neil gets the goal, like you said. I just think that’s the grit that we want to show, especially that grit that’s going to be more important in the playoffs when we advance."

#doop

[Joe Tansey @JTansey90]

I’d classify this as Kai Wagner calling out the team to perform better.

Part of Wagner’s postgame remarks:

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

With his yellow card, Bruno Damiani will miss the Union's game against Nashville on Wednesday.

Dumb yellow to pick up.

#doop

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

@devine_vin42077 @thegoalkeeper Tbf to Ryan Richter, he did say after Danley wasn’t listed and then listed a couple games ago that he doesn’t have anything to hide with injuries. So I don’t believe it’s him trying to get an advantage.

I’m not even sure it gives you much of an advantage anyway tbh.

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

Here was Ryan Richter's response on Thursday to @thegoalkeeper's question about not seeing Cavan Sullivan practicing on the field during Wednesday's practice opened to the media.

"Yeah, he’s all good. He took a knock in the game on Saturday against Charlotte, and we’re just trying to manage that through this week. But he should be available for Saturday. So he’s out on the field today, but like I said, just managing that through the week and trying to get him so that he’s at his best for this weekend."

Cavan wound up playing the full 90 minutes against Charlotte despite the knock.

#doop

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

BREAKING:

Cavan Sullivan is OUT for tomorrow’s game against New England Revolution with an ankle injury.

Interim head coach said on Thursday that Cavan picked up a knock against Charlotte last Saturday, he returned to training on the field on Thursday and said Sullivan “should be” available on Saturday.

📸 Philadelphia Union

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

Shout out to @brianwagner1234 for having a fantastic memory. Cavan Sullivan did indeed hurt his ankle in the 38th minute after getting tangled up with Charlotte defender David Schnegg.

*Sorry for the poor quality. two days after the game, the video gets compressed not using Safari or Apple TV.

#doop

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

BREAKING:

Cavan Sullivan is OUT for tomorrow’s game against New England Revolution with an ankle injury.

Interim head coach said on Thursday that Cavan picked up a knock against Charlotte last Saturday, he returned to training on the field on Thursday and said Sullivan “should be” available on Saturday.

📸 Philadelphia Union

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

@brianwagner1234 @FreeKickPod THANK YOU! I will look for this and clip

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

BREAKING:

Cavan Sullivan is OUT for tomorrow’s game against New England Revolution with an ankle injury.

Interim head coach said on Thursday that Cavan picked up a knock against Charlotte last Saturday, he returned to training on the field on Thursday and said Sullivan “should be” available on Saturday.

📸 Philadelphia Union

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

@phillyunion33 Damiani is good, but Cavan Sullivan is OUT (ankle).

[MLS Communications @MLS_PR]

MLS Player Status Report: Matchday 32 (Saturday, October 24 - Sunday, October 25)
https://t.co/FxhATU9IVE

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

Interim head coach Ryan Richter spoke of the news yesterday during his midweek press conference.

“I think the next steps are for him to continue to progress as a player here. The announcement of the new contract is a show of faith from the club and a show of faith from him, his family, and his side that we’re in this together and that things are going really well right now. So our job is to keep focusing on the day-to-day and keep focusing on the game-to-game and continue his progression as a player. And for the most part, he’s done a really good job of that.”

Pierre, 19, has been a standout performer for the Union in 14 MLS games this season, scoring four goals and helping keep four clean sheets in 1,200 minutes.

#doop

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

The Philadelphia Union have announced that centerback Neil Pierre has signed a new long-term contract with the club through 2030-2031, with an option for 2031-2032.

Pierre has appeared in 14 MLS games, scoring four goals, and helping keep four clean sheets.

“Neil is one of the brightest young center backs in our league, and he has consistently made the most of the opportunities he’s earned throughout his development within our club,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Jon Scheer.

Pierre gets a raise for his standout performances in the second half of the season, while the Union maximize Pierre’s value, making sure they get the best offer possible for a future sale.

📸 @donrobson

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

Worth noting that the Union start their last three games in a week stretch tomorrow against New England, with a Wednesday game away to Nashville coming up.

No sense of risking any further damage to Cavan’s ankle with playoffs coming up.

Would expect Quinn Sullivan / Indy Vassilev starting tomorrow with more significant minutes off the bench for Ben Bender tomorrow.

Would like to see Agustín Anello get more minutes as well.

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

BREAKING:

Cavan Sullivan is OUT for tomorrow’s game against New England Revolution with an ankle injury.

Interim head coach said on Thursday that Cavan picked up a knock against Charlotte last Saturday, he returned to training on the field on Thursday and said Sullivan “should be” available on Saturday.

📸 Philadelphia Union

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

@phillyunion33 No, but I’m expecting the player availability report any moment now.

[Ben Wright @benwright]

Meanwhile Nashville SC gave US Open Cup championship rings to all their players and coaching staff, every employee, and even media who covered the final in Austin.

[CBS Sports PR @CBSSportsGang]

CBS Sports secures exclusive U.S. Spanish-language rights for @Concacaf Champions Cup

Paramount+ is the exclusive U.S. home of every match in English and Spanish beginning in February

Full details: https://t.co/12nPIImKCa

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

My guess is you go all in for the sprint season with the guys you currently have on the roster and then come the summer time, we probably see Pierre and Westfield moved on to Europe.

Wouldn’t shock me come the end of the season if they try and loan out Geiner Martínez, and try and loan Philippe Ndinga.

If the right offer comes, I could see Japhet Sery moved on as well. No way he’ll want to be a backup option again next season.

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

The Philadelphia Union have announced that centerback Neil Pierre has signed a new long-term contract with the club through 2030-2031, with an option for 2031-2032.

Pierre has appeared in 14 MLS games, scoring four goals, and helping keep four clean sheets.

“Neil is one of the brightest young center backs in our league, and he has consistently made the most of the opportunities he’s earned throughout his development within our club,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Jon Scheer.

Pierre gets a raise for his standout performances in the second half of the season, while the Union maximize Pierre’s value, making sure they get the best offer possible for a future sale.

📸 @donrobson

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield all named to MLS 22 Under 22

Cavan Sullivan finishes No. 1 as the Union place three players on the list for the ninth straight year

🔗 https://t.co/ARsbJFI4zd

#doop

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield have all been named to MLS’ 22 Under 22 for the 2026 season.

This marks the ninth consecutive season the Union have had at least one player represented on the list.

Cavan Sullivan (1) takes the number one spot, joining Brenden Aaronson (2020) as the only other Philadelphia Union player to take the number one spot. Sullivan has a fantastic season so far for the Union with seven goals and seven assists (sorry I’m not including MLS secondary assists).

Pierre (7) earns his first appearance on the list, and has been revolutionary for the Union since his return from Lyngby this summer. Pierre has four goals on the season and has help keep four clean sheets in 14 apps.

Westfield (11) moved up seven spots from last season and has continued to build another strong season in 2026. He currently leads the Union with eight assists.

All three players recently made their debuts with the USMNT this past window.

📸 Philadelphia Union
#doop

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield have all been named to MLS’ 22 Under 22 for the 2026 season.

This marks the ninth consecutive season the Union have had at least one player represented on the list.

Cavan Sullivan (1) takes the number one spot, joining Brenden Aaronson (2020) as the only other Philadelphia Union player to take the number one spot. Sullivan has a fantastic season so far for the Union with seven goals and seven assists (sorry I’m not including MLS secondary assists).

Pierre (7) earns his first appearance on the list, and has been revolutionary for the Union since his return from Lyngby this summer. Pierre has four goals on the season and has help keep four clean sheets in 14 apps.

Westfield (11) moved up seven spots from last season and has continued to build another strong season in 2026. He currently leads the Union with eight assists.

All three players recently made their debuts with the USMNT this past window.

📸 Philadelphia Union
#doop

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

Episode 444 - Union Extend Unbeaten Streak to 15 with 2-2 Draw Against Charlotte #doop #mls https://t.co/YPAzpxgl7k

[Todd Lewis @ItsAToddLife]

Once again, Jovan Lukic had a terrific game for the Philadelphia Union yesterday in their 2-2 draw against Charlotte.

There have been Serbian fans online recently who would like to see the midfielder called up to the national team. Lukic has admitted he’s seen the chatter online. Despite the chatter, he said he hasn’t had any conversations with the federation about a potential call-up.

"Yeah, I mean, so far I’ve heard some things about it as well, but personally I wasn’t in touch with the federation, so I don’t know. That’s the dream of every player, and that’s my big goal to be a part of the national team, but I’m not in a rush. It’s how God says, and when I deserve it, I’m going to be there. I hope soon, or in one or two years. I don’t know when that’s going to happen, but I’m trying my best, and if they call me, I’m ready for it."

cc: @SerbianFooty

#doop