Weeks before the 2021 MLS season, the Philadelphia Union added a rather unknown 20-year-old German-American from Texas who made 9 appearances for St. Pauli in Bundesliga 2.
Initially believed to have been signed to provide midfield depth and versatility for the Supporters’ Shield holders, Leon Flach played so well in his first appearances he soon became a regular fixture in Jim Curtin’s side and emerged as the surprise of the season and one of the key offseason signings in Major League Soccer.
A rugged defensive midfielder, Flach proved to be a valuable road-grinder for a midfield that made a habit of outworking teams in 2020 and continued that trend in 2021, imposing a constant stream of pressure and disruption to boost the team’s counter-press and counter-attack.