Union II head coach Marlon LeBlanc and Academy midfielder Kellan LeBlanc speak about the father-son dynamic and recent games. Also, comments from Jamir Johnson and other Union II news items.

Growing up, my dad was my swim coach at various points in my swimming career, including high school. I honestly loved it- I did not get special treatment really or anything like that, but he pushed me to be my best and was harder on me at times. I will never forget the time when I was a freshman and one day at practice, my dad made me swim in a lane with Kyle Salyards, a senior who ended up getting a 6th place in the 2000 Olympics. He totally lapped me, by the way, but I did my best to keep up. When midfielder Kellan LeBlanc got to see action with Union II, I was interested to know more about the father-son dynamic between Coach Marlon LeBlanc and his son. It is one thing being a teenager and being coached by your dad, but it is another thing being at the MLS Next Pro level. Kyle Almoney caught up with Marlon and Kellan at training recently, and talked with them about their recent games and what it is like for both of them being part of Union II. He also talked with Jamir Johnson, whose star is on the rise as well.

When Dad is also Coach

Kellan LeBlanc recently earned his first MLS Next Pro start when Union II faced Toronto FC II on August 18. The 16 year old seized the opportunity and netted not only his first goal with Union II, but had a brace- the only goals they would score in the 4-2 defeat that day. He would be named MLS Next Pro Rising Star of the Matchday for his efforts. Kellan also started the next game, against Columbus Crew 2.

As the coach, Marlon looked the brace as huge in that it dug Union II out of the 2 goal deficit to level the match 2-2 at that moment. He was, as he said, in management mode, and didn’t necessarily get to enjoy the moment at that point in time. One could certainly acknowledge that when you are coaching your kid, you do not want any accusations of nepotism and everything should be earned. Marlon noted in his interview that he is probably harder on Kellan, saying “There can be no gray area between why he gets selected to this team. He has to earn it every single day and I think if anything, he’s maybe pushed a little bit harder to make sure there are no question marks about why he gets an opportunity to play maybe over someone else.” He also mentioned, “It’s probably more challenging for the son of the coach to get into the team and our staff had been pushing me for weeks because he’s done enough to earn the opportunity. Albeit we were really, really shorthanded when we went to Toronto.” With so many players unavailable due to injury, call ups, or other issues, Marlon looked at the situation as a blessing in disguise for Kellan and Jamir Johnson to step up and have opportunities. Marlon, while definitely proud of his son, kept it in perspective:

“Afterwards, and getting to reflect on it, obviously very, very proud, but believe it or not, no more proud of him than I was of Eddy Davis, or Frankie Westfield, or David Vazquez, or CJ [Olney] or any other of those other guys. When he’s out here on this pitch, he’s accountable as any other player. It doesn’t matter that he’s my son, at the end of the day I have a job to do. It’s about the team. He gets that. Nothing is given, everything is earned.”

Business is business on the soccer fields, but off the pitch, very little soccer gets spoken about at home. Regular family dynamics are in play there, and they like to keep it that way. Marlon being Kellan’s coach may not last forever as Kellan climbs the ranks and if Marlon gets other opportunities, but the family bond is strong. At the end of the day, he is a dad and is proud of his son, but he balances coach mode and dad mode well and continues to build a strong squad at Union II that believe in each other and what they can achieve.

Union II nab extra point in 1-1 draw with Crew 2

On the 1-1 draw (plus extra point in PKs) vs Columbus Crew 2, Marlon commented, “The result was a positive result, and the extra point was a good one as well. I think for the most part we were really good at limiting their danger as a team, they’re a very good attacking team.” Indeed, it was a strong showing for the squad who had their most regular players back in the lineup. Cavan Sullivan had a golazo in the 29′ minute that would go on to an overwhelming win for Goal of the Matchday for MLS Next Pro. He would also contribute the final goal in PKs for the extra point, while goalkeeper Andrew Rick came up big, making a save in the shootout.

Marlon always stresses the development of the squad at the Next Pro level, but they have had a good amount of success this season. As of this article, Union II are in second in the Eastern conference (behind Cincinnati II, but have a game in hand) and fourth overall. “It’s up on the board in the locker room, there’s been some goal setting for the guys, and the individual development, they know is part of our process. There’s been a message to the guys, seeing if we can get some home games in the playoffs too. The group is excited, the group wants to win, and at the end of the day, the development part right now is about… they’re jostling for playoff position.”

Jamir Johnson on his recent opportunities

Academy forward Jamir Johnson also had his first MLS Next Pro start versus Toronto FC II. The 16 year old has been on the rise after helping the U17s win their second straight Generation Adidas Cup, including the winning goal to send them to the Quarterfinals, and getting a U16 USYNT call up. When asked about the differences between playing with the Academy and Union II, he sees the physicality as a big difference and getting more challenges. As Union II is pushing for the playoffs, he has confidence in the squad and they are bonding well as a team. They definitely have some big games coming up, with being on the road against Carolina Core on Wednesday, September 11th at 6:30 PM, and Sunday, September 15th at Inter Miami II at 7:00 PM.

Main article photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union II. Video interviews by Kyle Almoney.