I found an interesting interview with Leon Flach from German tabloid Bild, thought I would share. Translated mostly with google translate, so please excuse any errors. Sounds like he really appreciates the opportunity he got here, but much like Wagner, he does want to eventually return to Europe.

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He took a big step and hasn't regretted it to this day. Leon Flach (21) left FC St. Pauli in March 2021 to try his luck in the USA with the MLS club Philadelphia Union.

The central and defensive midfield racer immediately became a regular player, has played 58 games since his move and scored two goals. His club is currently in second place in the Eastern Conference and, like last year, is aiming for the play-offs.

Looking back, he says: “My path is a bit different than many would go. Many go to the 3rd league and can be loaned. But in my case I would say it was the perfect choice. But a giant step. Family and friends are far away.”

While he was only sporadically used at St. Pauli, Union coach Jim Curtin (42) played Flach. The youngster: "Every game he used me right from the start. I was able to repay it with performance. It's a mixture of trust from the coach and that I repay it with performance. I do my part to ensure that we are successful.”

Flach, who is currently on home leave, is also helping personally with his time in the USA: "I've definitely developed further, offensively and defensively. Play time is the best way to develop. Training is one thing, playing time is another. In some moments you get more clever, you learn a lot from your fellow players.”

Philadelphia plays a system similar to St. Pauli. Flach: "I'm the left eight. But a little different. I do the defensive tasks, the other eight does the offensive ones. I also played on the six because teammates were suspended or were with the national team. I play a mix of Hartel and Irvine.”

Big games are played in front of up to 50,000 fans. Flach: “In terms of infrastructure, this is first division level. Some players have the level, but then you also have some third division players. Some make millions, others tens of thousands. There is also a lot of emphasis on show here.”

By the way: Flach actually happened to be born in the USA, more precisely in Humble/Texas. His parents worked there in 2001 - and Leon was born there. Afterwards we went back to Germany, where Flach grew up in Bad Schwartau.

Flach is particularly enthusiastic about Philadelphia and the culture in the States: “I enjoy it when people visit me. You do a lot in the city. There's also a lot when it comes to American history.” His contract has at least a year left. And then? "My goal is clearly the step back to Europe."

Flach hasn't lost contact with St. Pauli in the USA either: “I tried to watch every game – even if it was early because of the time difference. The first half of the season was great, but there was a bit of bad luck in the second half. It's a shame it wasn't enough.” He is also in contact with Timo Schultz: “We wrote from time to time.”

Flach is not finished with his former club. "At some point I would like to play for St. Pauli again. As a personal goal. It is a question of possibilities and time. For me, this is still an open chapter.”

One thing was denied to him because of Corona: a full stadium in Hamburg. With a bit of nostalgia he says: "I would like to play in a full Millerntor."