Leon Flach’s form crucial for recent Union points

Leon Flach was never an attacking midfielder.

That role belongs to Jack McGlynn, the young No. 8 who occasionally (now more often than not) sits behind Flach in the Philadelphia Union’s depth chart. Flach, on the other hand, is a true Jim Curtin midfielder: defends first, but finds his way up the field nonetheless when needed.

But in the Union’s last two matches, Flach’s turned up on offense more than usual. Against Orlando City on June 21, Flach set McGlynn up for Philadelphia’s first goal of the match, which was later followed by Jose Martinez’ rocket to earn a point on the road for the Union.

Against Inter Miami, Flach contributed once again, this time with a goal of his own. While Flach may have struggled to get involved in play early in the match, a few defensive contributions must have boosted the midfielder’s confidence, as he let this ball fly from outside the penalty area.

LEON!!!#DOOP pic.twitter.com/d6IyGYUkmX

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) June 25, 2023

That goal may have put the Union up 3-0, but Curtin believes that it was a more important goal than it may have seemed on the scoreline.

[Leon] did a great job for us and played a great game,” Curtin said postgame. “That goal before the end of the half to go 3-0 deflates Miami. Goals going into the locker room are really important.”

While McGlynn was away from the Union for the U-20 World Cup, Flach wasn’t given much competition for a starting role in the lineup. But with McGlynn back, it doesn’t seem that Flach is willing to give his spot up anytime soon. The 22-year-old was one of the Union’s best performers in a 4-1 win.

For Curtin, Flach’s recent form isn’t surprising. The midfielder may have struggled at points this season and lost his starting role a few times, but he’s worked hard. Curtin says that his recent form, and goals, are what come from Flach’s work ethic.

“I’m a big believer that when you work hard in this sport, good things happen for you. That’s a very simple, easy, clean thing to say. And Leon is a great example of that,” Curtin said. “The harder he works, I think he gets rewarded for things. To see him still pressing in the 90th minute and running and trying to win balls back for us was really good.”

As the Union chase F.C. Cincinnati for the top of the Eastern Conference, Curtin remains focused on wins and goal differential, the two most important statlines down the stretch of the season. If it takes a defensive-minded midfielder to score to boost his goal differential, Curtin is all for Flach stepping up to goal a few more times this year.