Time to shine: Young players who will define the MLS Cup Playoffs
Playoffs? Don’t talk about – playoffs. You kiddin' me?! Playoffs?!?!
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2023 (Philadelphia): Flach made 25 appearances (21 starts) for the Union in 2023, finishing with one goal and two assists…Registered his first assist of the season against MTL (3/18)...Scored his first goal of the season against MIA (6/24)…Registered his second assist of the season against ORL (6/21).
2022 (Philadelphia): Played in all 34 (33 starts) matches in 2022...Registered his first assist of the season against DC (7/8)...Registered his second assist of the season against ORL (9/10).
2021 (Philadelphia): Flach has appeared 42 times (39 starts) in 2021 across all competitions and has provided a refreshing boost to Philadelphia’s midfield...After joining the Union from 2. Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli in March 2021, Flach made his club debut during the Union's Concacaf Champions League 1-0 road win at Deportivo Saprissa (Apr. 7)...Provided the assist for Przybylko's second goal during the Union's 3-0 first leg Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal win against Atlanta United FC (Apr. 27)...Supplied an assist during the Union's 3-0 home win vs. The Portland Timbers (May 30)...Scored his first career goal for the Union in the 3-0 win against Columbus Crew (Oct. 3)...Earned a spot on MLS' Top 22 Players Under 22 list, at no. 15...Recorded his third assist of the season against NYCFC (Nov. 9)...Made his first postseason start against NYRB (Nov. 20)...Made his third postseason start against New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Finals of the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs (Dec.5)...Flach won the team-voted Newcomer of the Year award for a season that saw him named to the MLS' Top 22 Players Under 22 list, at no. 15.
BEFORE PHILADELPHIA UNION
Born in Humble, Texas, Flach holds dual German and U.S. citizenship. He comes to Philadelphia from the second tier German Bundesliga club F.C. St. Pauli, the same club the Union previously signed fan-favorite Fafa Picault from in 2017. He made his professional debut for the club in September 2020 and would go on to make nine appearances. He scored his first professional goal for the club on January 3, 2021 in a match vs. Greuther Furth.
Previously, Flach came up through the F.C. St Pauli youth system, where he played for St. Pauli Youth in 2016 and went on to play for St. Pauli’s U17 and U19 teams before signing with the first team on July 1, 2020.
Internationally, Flach has made two appearances for the German U18 Youth National Team and is a current USMNT U20 international. His first call up to represent the U.S. was for a U20 camp in January 2020 where he featured in a 2-0 victory in a friendly vs. Mexico.
ACQUIRED: Philadelphia Union sign defensive midfielder Leon Flach on March 31, 2021.