Leon Flach was one of many gamers who impressed on the current U.S. U-20 camp in Florida however that was considered one of simply many promising steps the younger German-American hopes to absorb 2020. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta spoke with Flach about this essential stage of his budding profession.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
January 22, 2020
9:30 PM
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THE UNITED STATES U-20 nationwide group just lately accomplished its first camp of the yr in Florida and what’s completely different about this cycle is that it primarily begins solely six months earlier than the beginning of the U-20 World Cup qualifying event. With solely two camps earlier than the ultimate qualifying tune-up, gamers need to make strong first impressions to construct their case to be on that roster.
Leon Flach, 18, did simply that with a robust camp in Florida the place he showcased his versatility and his capability to combine into the group properly. At the moment signed to knowledgeable take care of St. Pauli of the two.Bundesliga, this was his first time representing the US at any stage.
However not solely was it a problem stepping right into a group the place most of the gamers had been conversant in one another, accidents among the many roster compelled him to play the left again place. Flach is generally a central midfielder with the youth and reserve groups of St. Pauli. Nonetheless, when Flach trains with St. Pauli’s first group, he performs left again which he says is straightforward for him along with his left-footed nature.
So when the U.S. U-20 group confronted off towards Mexico, Flach was ready for the chance at left again – which he seized in a strong outing of a 2-0 win over the U.S. group’s archrival. Regardless of not figuring out the gamers or the coaches prematurely, he was glad with the group’s efficiency.
“I think we had a really good team performance,” Flach mentioned of the win. “We did it really well. I think all what we wanted to do, we did it. It was a really good performance by all of us. I was really proud. Playing with the crest on my shirt was really good for me and I enjoyed it… There is a great atmosphere in the team. Everybody is nice to me. I received a really warm welcome. I enjoyed it. The majority of players are new to me. I know some players who play in Germany, just two of them.”
General, his first impressions of the group had been extraordinarily optimistic each on the sphere and off the sphere. Coming in he wasn’t certain what to anticipate, however he left camp trying ahead to extra. General, the standard of the group surpassed his expectations.
Flach additionally realized this was the primary U-20 camp below new head coach Anthony Hudson. The model Hudson used was just like the best way Gregg Berhalter is utilizing with the complete nationwide group. Whereas he’s used to enjoying a extra direct means in Germany, he was within the U.S. group’s method.
“I think especially on offense, it was better than I expected,” Flach mentioned of the group. “They were really good guys offensively with the ball, really talented. I think they are all better than I expected. It’s a bit different system that I am used to but I think it’s good and a really interesting one. We want to press high with one guy off the ball and we want to make the game. And I think that is a really good way of playing, especially when we have such talented guys in the offense. [Anthony Hudson] talked to me a lot and he’s a nice guy. I like the way he’s having us play.”
Celtic winger Cameron Harper is taken into account among the best American gamers of the present U-20 age group and he was additionally among the best gamers within the win over Mexico. He was unfamiliar with Flach previous to camp however believes he has lots to supply this group shifting ahead, particularly with the side of versatility – which is usually wanted in tournaments.
“I thought he was very good,” Harper mentioned. “He came into camp as a No. 6 and started off really sharp, he’s a player that likes to get the ball and play forward passes breaking the lines but due to the two left backs having to pull out with injuries he went to left back to fill in and was very impressive there too. In the first game against Mexico he was very aggressive defensively when he had to be and never really got beat, and seemed like a pain to play against. He held possession really well, his personality also makes him very easy to play with. He’s a very nice guy on and off the pitch and, overall, I thought he was very good throughout the whole camp especially saying he had to move positions midway through it.”
Whereas this was Flach’s first time enjoying for the US, it isn’t his first involvement in worldwide soccer. In 2019, he was called-up a number of occasions for Germany’s U-18 group along with his debut coming in a 1-0 loss to Austria adopted by a 3-0 win over Belgium.
Flach’s dad and mom are German however he was born in the US throughout a interval when his household lived in Houston the place his father labored. Throughout his early childhood, the household would return to Germany in Hamburg the place he was raised and developed as a participant with St. Pauli.
Sometimes Flach returned to the US the place he nonetheless has buddies – though his final go to previous to the U-20 camp was 4 years in the past. To this date, he stays an enormous fan of Houston Texans of the NFL. He travelled to London again in November when the Texans performed a recreation at Wembley Stadium and he watches virtually each considered one of their video games on tv.
Whereas this most up-to-date camp was his first time representing the US internationally, it was not the primary time U.S. Soccer has tried to convey Flach into the fold. In truth, it was the fourth time that proved to be the appeal for U.S. Soccer.
“It had always been in my mind that maybe I will play for the USA one day,” Flach defined. “I had already had invitations [with the U.S.], but it was always a bit difficult to get in here because two times I was injured and one time it was bad timing because of my graduation. Now I’m happy that everything was perfect with the timing. I’m happy to be here.”
And the U.S. U-20 camp was simply considered one of many massive steps Flach hopes to take this yr. Along with U-20 World Cup qualifying this summer time, Flach is anticipated to be a part of St. Pauli’s first group quickly. The group presently sits in eleventh place of the 18-team 2.Bundesliga.
When Flach signed his skilled contract in 2018, it was additionally introduced that the beginning of the 2020/21 season would see him be a part of the primary group formally. Though, he may be a part of that group ahead of later as he has already educated at that stage (solely to see an harm reduce that point quick) and he would have performed there over the winter break however as a substitute selected to affix the U.S. U-20 group.
“It’s a little difficult in my case because last time I was promoted to the first team, I got injured after five training sessions,” Flach mentioned. “So, I had to do my rehab for almost three months and then I went back to train with the U-19 team because I still had some problems with my knee. But if I wasn’t with the US team right now, I would be with the training camp with the professionals. When I’m back in Germany, I hope I get there with the professionals soon as possible. We will see but I hope so. But for sure, I’m going to the pros next summer for preseason.”
