In Braga, everything started with an idea for Isaiah LeFlore.
“I don’t want to be anywhere I’m not playing,” said LeFlore ahead of tonight’s match against Sporting KC II. “In your late teens and early 20s, you develop the most by playing. I wasn’t big on some of my options – so I had an idea. Naga was my coach at SKCII, and he trusted me a lot. Before him, I never got professional minutes.”
Four games into his tenure with Dynamo Dos, the ever-versatile LeFlore has taken a journey intertwined with many in the organization. A product of Shattuck-Saint Mary’s like his teammate Xavier Valdez, LeFlore has had multiple stops in Portugal across his young career – but an intersection with the current Houston Dynamo coaching staff at SKCII is one of his most pivotal.
“I was just super keen on learning,” said LeFlore, who spent much of his time under Nagamura adapting to the wingback position. “I would always ask Chris Martinez and Naga to give me extra film and positional advice. I had a fantastic relationship with them and Jimmy. Especially Jimmy Nielsen, he was a mentor for me in Kansas City. Whatever issues I had I would sit down with him – sometimes three or four times a week. All three of those guys have incredible histories and backstories, and I learned so much from them about being a professional and doing the little things right.
It's that culture that lead LeFlore to Houston after a stint with Sporting Clube de Braga’s B team, and one that he instantly recognized while on his two-week trial with Kenny Bundy’s side.
“I noticed a family bond,” said LeFlore. “Everyone knows their role and is bought in. I was supposed to trial with a few other clubs, but Kenny immediately said ‘We like you. Could you get down here?’ On my second to last training, I told them I wasn’t worried about other opportunities. The fight everyone has for each other, that’s why I chose Dynamo Two.”
LeFlore has hit the ground running with Dynamo Dos, netting two goals in his four appearances thus far in the side. It’s a seamless start, on the field and off, that Head Coach Kenny Bundy says he could see coming to fruition the second LeFlore stepped in the door.
“The day he came in, you could tell he was going to fit in with our style and our mentality,” said Bundy. “We have key leaders that want to bring people on board with them. I’ve been excited with him - he's a very mature young man, presents himself as way older than his actual age. He still has a lot of growth to do… but he's bought in to get that knowledge. Two days after he signed he wanted to sit down to understand our game model and how his skillset can help us. That shows in not only the start he’s had, but the minutes he has got at multiple positions."
Off to a rapid start and occasionally popping into first team training across the street at Houston Sports Park, LeFlore aims to continue against some familiar faces on Sunday at AVEVA Stadium.
“I’m excited,” said LeFlore on facing his old team. “I’ve learned a tremendous amount tactically since my time there, and I think I’ll be able to bring a surprising new element to the game. I see the game a lot differently, and while I can’t wait to prove myself against them – they gave me an experience I can never replace [my pro debut]. I’ll always be grateful for what they did for my development, but when it comes down to it, it’s all business.”
