If you ask even the most casual fan of the Union to name just a single player, nine times out of ten that player is Sebastien Le Toux. When you go to Talen Energy Stadium (formerly PPL Park) on game days and listen to PA announcer Kevin Casey announce the starting XI, the name Sebastien Le Toux gets the loudest applause from the fans. Even with the big names of Tranquillo Barnetta and Maurice Edu at the club, Le Toux is still the most beloved. He has served the club for five years and is starting his sixth with the club in 2016. But is it time for the Union to say goodbye to the marathon man?
Le Toux has a rich history in the MLS. He scored a hat trick in the Union’s first-ever regular season home game at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Union played during the building of Talen Energy Stadium. He leads the Union in most major categories: goals, assists, games played, minutes played, shots, and shots on goals. He was the Union’s first ever All-Star. He won the MLS Individual Fair Play award in 2010 and 2011, awarded to the player with the least amount of cards and fouls and exemplifies good sportsmanship. He also was featured in the MLS Best XI in 2010.
Sebastien Le Toux is coming into this season at the ripe age of 32. In soccer standards, that’s getting more on the old side. Usually, a player’s peak in performance comes between the ages of 28-30. Le Toux, when he was 30 in the 2014 season, scored 12 times and assisted on seven goals. Statistically, it was his best season since 2011 when he was 27. The 2014 season was also only his third best statistical season in his career. In the 2015 season, he scored eight goals and tallied six assists for 14 points. In the grand scheme of things, that’s a very respectable record. In fact, he’s been one of the most offensively minded players in the Union’s history. But, it’s time to pass on the torch.
It comes back to his age. You may say that a 32-year-old is still able to play in the MLS. That is true when you look at players like DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Beckerman, and Benny Feilhaber. But, the league is getting younger as it’s popularity grows. We’re now seeing homegrown players like Diego Fagundez of the New England Revolution and Gyasi Zardes of the Los Angeles Galaxy excel in the league and avoid the temptations of playing in a foreign country. The MLS SuperDraft is also getting better each year so the rotation of fresh new players is consistently coming in. With these types of players being developed, foreign teams will start to recognize that MLS is becoming a breeding ground of good prospects. Recently we saw this with new Chelsea defender Matt Miazga. MLS is also becoming a league to develop former players. Manchester City’s Angelino spent the season with New York City FC on loan and the FC Nantes loaned Fernando Aristiguieta to Philadelphia to develop.
Despite all this Le Toux should still stay with the Union. He is the perfect depth player that can come off the bench in times of need. He’s something like an Alan Gordon. Eric Ayuk is the perfect successor. The 19-year-old Cameroonian is the explosive player the Union need for the future. He probably is the only player on the roster who can take on players with skill and speed. He’s very fast, agile, and can pass the ball. He may not be a goal scorer, but he can create opportunities based on his pace and ball skills. Also, with the acquisition of Roland Alberg and Chris Pontius, it’s looking like Le Toux is falling down the pecking order. With only 2 weeks until opening day, the starting lineup still has a number of question marks.
Main Photo: Mike Stobe, Getty Images
