Union II grooming next wave of future MLS talent

The 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season may have ended for Philadelphia Union II, but the hard work to continue preparing the next crop of young, exciting talent has not.

Union II head coach Marlon LeBlanc just recently completed his fourth season in charge of the second team, one that saw his players each the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs before suffering a first-round exit at the hands of New England Revolution II. It marked the second-consecutive season that Union II reached the postseason, while also providing great experiences to young players and also first-team players seeking consistent playing time.

Although the competitive schedule has come to an end until 2024, LeBlanc is pleased with how the 2023 campaign went for his players and staff.

“I think it was a successful season,” LeBlanc told PHLY Sports in an interview. “For us, I think the most enjoyable part was the way we finished the year to make it into the playoffs. I think the way we go about achieving success is very different from everybody else in the league. I was really pleased with the way our young team battled through the ups and downs of the season and still found a way to make it into the playoffs.”

“We did it our way and I think that was what made it such an enjoyable year,” he added. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t also throw the Wrexham game in there as well. In front of a big crowd, to play in front of 14,000-15,000 fans and our guys found a way to get a result in that game too. At the end of the day, we found a way in the playoffs, and I think the way we did it is what makes it special and the most enjoyable.”

The Philadelphia Union academy continues to be one of the best, if not the best in Major League Soccer. Former homegrown players Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Brenden Aaronson, and Paxten Aaronson are just a few examples of young players that worked their way through the Union’s ranks before earning European transfers.

Union II has provided early opportunities for the next generation of young players to come in and play week in and week out in a competitive league It might not be long before we start seeing names like Nelson Pierre, C.J. Olney, David Vazquez and Andrew Rick in the first team plans under Jim Curtin, a testament to the Union’s continued plan to trust the process.

“Andy Rick [Andrew Rick], C.J. [Olney], David Vazquez, Nelson Pierre, these are all names that I think you’re gonna see in the future, representing this club on Saturday nights,” LeBlanc said. “We have this fluidity, even during the international break, we have guys up training with the first team. There’s no doubt in the strategy that we utilize in providing young players chances with the second team.

“15-year-old Neil Pierre is a good example, playing against defenders maybe 10 years older than him,” he added. “We’re throwing these young guys to the lions. We do it with a process in making sure that we’re caring for them at the same time and not giving them more than that they can handle. There’s the guys I mentioned and many more that are coming through our pipeline. You will see young players even getting a chance with the second team next season too.”

Not only did the Union II squad take another step forward statistical-wise in 2023, but they also had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play against one of England’s thriving clubs. Wrexham AFC, owned by popular modern-day actions Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, has continued to garner attention in the English pyramid after their promotion back to Football League last season.

Union II faced off with Wrexham last summer in a friendly match at Subaru Park, earning a 1-1 draw against the English fourth-tier club. It marked the latest preparatory match for Wrexham in its summer tour of the United States, which also included showdowns with English giants Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as fellow MLS NEXT Pro side, LA Galaxy II.

A tough matchup against seasoned professional players provided a great opportunity for Union II, who easily could’ve walked away as winners that night in front of their largest crowd of 2023.

“I think it was incredibly important and for us to do it with all teenagers is pretty cool,” LeBlanc said about the Wrexham match. “It was an awesome experience for our players to in front of a big crowd at our stadium, while they are preparing for their return to the Football League. For some 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds who were able to play against experienced professionals, it’s a great learning lesson.

“I think our guys aren’t fazed about being the younger team anymore and that showed that night as well,” LeBlanc said. “They rose to the occasion and I think for them when you look back at it five years down the road, it will be an important moment in their individual growths.”

LeBlanc has been able to continue the hard work that Union head coach Jim Curtin and Sporting Director Ernst Tanner are instilling in the franchise. Curtin, who has been Union head coach since 2014, has also promoted the early opportunities for young players, watching many of his former homegrown earn chances on the international level with the U.S. men’s national team.

Curtin has previously spoken out about his interest to be part of the USMNT heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, whether that is in a head coaching or assistant role. LeBlanc has been able to work with Curtin over the past few years and supports him in whatever the future has in store for him, whether that is in Philadelphia or with the USMNT.

“I think Jim is so bullish on all things American soccer, that I 100% believe him when he says that he thinks he can play any role to help the national team in 2026,” LeBlanc said. “He deserves that chance and has earned that, he is certainly as good as it gets when it comes to leading this organization. He’s the face of the organization when it comes to the football side of things.

“His success here speaks for itself and he has continued to put Philly at the forefront of not just youth development within our own organization, but development of national team players for the 2026 World Cup and other youth World Cups coming up. Jim is certainly a guy who has invested a lot of time into moving the needle for success in this country and I think the national team come 2026 will continue to benefit from that work that that’s been done here.”

The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season is right around the corner for LeBlanc and Union II, who will once again be fighting to make the playoffs and continue providing opportunities for their young talent. With several players set for moves to the NCAA, LeBlanc’s focus has also shifted to his roster and who he will be able to rely on to carry the load next season.

Although we still have close to five months until Week 1 of the 2024 campaign, LeBlanc admitted he is excited for what’s to come for Union II and the franchise as a whole.

“There’s no doubt that in my mind we will put a team out every single week, that is going to compete very hard,” LeBlanc said. I don’t know if there’s another team that has the roster volatility that we have here. We have guys going to the GA Cup, guys getting ready to go off to college, but it just means it’s next man up for the guys who are here.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge again, I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to get better as a coach and as a team,” he added. “We’re still working hard right now and guys are training five days a week. I’ve got complete faith that our organization will find a way through it and as long as we continue to trust the process, we will have the ability to do well.”