Just 1 day into the 2023 Winter Transfer Window and the Philadelphia Union has completed its first transactional move of the offseason, one of the most important – if not the most important – in the club’s 14-season history.
Philadelphia Union complete the signing of Isaiah LeFlore
On Tuesday, December 12th, Philadelphia Union announced the signing of 21-year-old Left Back, Isaiah LeFlore from Houston Dynamo 2 to a one-year contract through 2024, with club options for 2025, 2026, and 2027.
After spending his youth in the academy of Portuguese side AD Oeiras from 2016 to 2019, LeFlore spent a season and a half with Sporting Kansas City in the USL.
LeFlore really started to find his footing after his move to Houston Dynamo 2 in the Summer of 2022, playing in all 10 games to end the season and starting in 9 of those matches. 2023 was LeFlore’s breakout season in MLS Next PRO, starting in 20 of 26 appearances and scoring 3 goals and 6 assists for Dynamo 2.
His 6 assists led MLS Next Pro among all defenders, and his bright form in 2023 landed him at the top of multiple stat categories on the team such as: Assists, Interceptions, Tackles, Duel percentage amongst players with at least 100 duels, and highest dribble percentage amongst players with at least 20 successful dribbles made.
“He’s an offensive-minded left back who is ready to test himself at the next level, and we look forward to contributing to his development.”
What does Isaiah LeFlore Bring to the Union?
The signing comes as a bit of a surprise and is probably one for the future. But at the same time, it’s a position that needs some restructuring after Union declined their option of Anton Sorenson and the expected departure of Kai Wagner. While he’s young and definitely needs some time to grow and improve before he’s ready for consistent First Team minutes, you can tell why Union picked up LeFlore by watching his highlights.
He’s quick and agile, plays well with the ball at his feet, gets into the box on the attack, and can finish around the net well for a defender. I’m not saying he’s the next Kai Wagner, but it seems like a player that could fit into that type of role Wagner is leaving behind in the system Union play.
“Through his recent play in USL and MLS NEXT Pro, Isaiah is a promising young prospect with the potential to fit well in our system,”
-Ernst Tanner
Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union
