The build toward a first Brooklyn FC men’s season in 2026 continues as the club confirmed that Marlon LeBlanc will serve as the first-ever men’s head coach. The Twitter account "USMNT Prospects" first reported that LeBlanc would become Brooklyn's first men's head coach in late November.
LeBlanc, originally from East Windsor, New Jersey, is a highly-regarded coach from his experience at youth levels, serving as manager of Philadelphia Union II for 97 matches across their time in the USL Championship and MLS Next Pro.
He parted with the Union at the end of 2024 and most recently served as the United States U-18 coach, going unbeaten in six matches while the young Americans played two friendlies in Spain against Morocco and Norway in March, then competed at the UEFA Friendship Cup from May 30 to June 11 in Nyon, Switzerland.
Brooklyn in 2026 won't be LeBlanc’s first taste of the USL Championship, as 11 of his matches in charge of Union II came as caretaker manager during the 2020 USL Championship season, before MLS Next Pro was a thing.
The bulk of his experience as a professional head coach did come in MLS Next Pro while he led Union II from their and the league’s debut season in 2022 through the end of the 2024 season. LeBlanc picked up 1.74 points per match across 80 regular-season games in charge of Union II in Next Pro, reaching the MLS Next Pro Cup final in 2024, but falling 3-2 to North Texas SC despite LeBlanc’s Union II holding a 2-0 lead at halftime.
His Union II squads included numerous players now in MLS with the first-team Union squad, or elsewhere playing big roles for new clubs. Notable alumni of LeBlanc’s Union II days include New York City FC and United States men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Freese, Jack McGlynn of Houston Dynamo FC, and Paxten Aaronson of Colorado Rapids. LeBlanc worked with many members of the Union team that just won the MLS Supporters' Shield, including Olwethu Makhanya, Nathan Harriel, Frankie Westfield, plus brothers Quinn and Cavan Sullivan.
The LeBlanc hire represents an experienced pick with an impressive background, and stands as the first hire and first big move made by new Brooklyn FC general manager Brian McBride. McBride said that LeBlanc "has a track record of coaching young talents and developing them to have an impact at the highest level in the US" in the club's official statement announcing LeBlanc's hire.
With a coach now in place, expect to see a flurry of signings to actually build an inaugural roster for LeBlanc to work with, given that the 2026 USL Championship season is only a few months away and a first-ever Brooklyn men’s player yet to be signed.
