Off the Pitch presented by Marie Henderson Team, the preferred real estate partner of the Philadelphia Union, is a new content series that takes a deeper dive into players' lives at home and off the field.
Familie is da, wo das lieben beginnt und die liebe niemals endet.
“It means ‘family is where life starts and love never ends,” Philadelphia Union midfielder Leon Flach said.
The 22-year-old has the sentiment framed in his Northern Liberties apartment, propped on a shelf above stacks of handwritten cards and photos of him and his loved ones. When Flach arrived in the United States to begin his Major League Soccer career with the Philadelphia Union in 2021, it was his first time moving away from his family. Relocating more than 4,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean for a job is no simple feat, and for Flach, the most challenging part of the transition was bidding farewell to his Hamburg home where he happily lived with his parents and brother, Timon.
A dual-citizen, Flach was born in Texas, where his father worked at the time, but he grew up in Germany playing in Bundesliga second division club FC St. Pauli’s youth system. He earned a spot on their first team by 2020, quickly impressing in nine appearances and scoring his professional first goal in January 2021. His promising play there paired with call-ups to the German U-18 Youth National Team and U-20 United States Mens’ National Team garnered the attention of the Philadelphia Union, earning him a two-year contract with club option for a third and fourth year.
The deal sent him stateside to join the Boys in Blue by March 2021, and he has since become a reputable center midfielder on the Major League Soccer stage, earning the club’s Newcomer of the Year award and a spot on the league’s 22 Under 22 list last season. Flach’s tenure in the states has been a busy one, and he’s done it all while grappling with missing his family.
Now in the final stretch of his third season playing in the United States, Philadelphia has grown to become his ‘second home,’ thanks to the Marie Henderson Team, who led the search in finding him a sanctuary within what first was an unfamiliar city.
“In general living alone was the hardest part, because this was actually the first apartment where I was living alone. Before I was driving only 45-50 minutes to training then I went home. We also had an apartment in Hamburg and I would stay there for one, maybe two days sometimes, but my base was always where my friends lived and my brother lived,” Flach said.
He began his hunt for an apartment soon after landing in Philadelphia, employing the help of the Marie Henderson Team, the club’s preferred real estate partner. It took just one stop for Jade Henderson to show Flach a location that satisfied all of his top priorities.
“I think it was the first week when I came here that we did a trip around all the neighborhoods. I don't know, sometimes you'll see something and you feel that's the right choice,” Leon said. “We had this place first, and it's probably the closest I could get to the living style I had in Hamburg, because it's still connected to the city but it's not straight in the city. View, nice location, all of that was important to me.”
When he stepped into his current building, he knew near-instantly that it was a fit. The complex far exceeded his expectations, with multiple state-of-the-art fitness centers, pools, and outdoor spaces all tucked away in one of Philadelphia’s premiere neighborhoods. He moved in shortly after his visit and he’s lived in the complex since, most recently moving to a new unit in April that boasts a wrap-around terrace with an unobstructed view of Philadelphia’s renowned city skyline.
"Working with Leon has been a heartwarming journey. His kindness and trust have allowed me to find him a home and help him with any further assistance needed, be it repairs or anything else. It's a privilege to serve such a remarkable individual," said Jade Henderson.
“That's what I always wanted, a second home. I feel like home is still Germany, but that's why I always say I would rather spend more money on my apartment than on clothes, shoes, or something,” Flach said.
“I know I spend most of the free time I have in my apartment or at home, so I want it to be the nicest place I can make it.”
Upon entering his space, visitors can tell family is paramount to Flach – and those closest to him were quick to visit his new digs. When his friends, family, or girlfriend visit from Germany, Flach enjoys leading them around his neighborhood's bustling and diverse restaurant scene, venturing out into the historic Old City, walks around the Art Museum, and even trips to the Philadelphia Zoo.
“Everybody who came just enjoyed the experience. It showed that I probably made the right decision when people really enjoyed seeing it for the first time,” Leon said.
Though he often doesn’t have family in the stands, Flach is constantly reminded of those closest to him on game day. When the team plays in Chester, he always eats the same pasta with Maggi Spaghetti Napoli sauce mailed from his mother, who would make it for him before every game during his youth.
When he’s away, he travels with mementos from his family zipped in his bag, at all times keeping them close.
“My mom always writes me a card when I go back to the USA and I have like every card in my backpack. I take also some family pictures to every game. I don't read them, but I just know I have them with me,” Flach said.
On the field, he knows his grandparents are tuned in, despite the five hour time difference.
“2, 3, 4 a.m, it doesn't matter. They watch every game. I still feel the support, so that's really nice,” Flach said.
