On the final day of the MLS summer transfer window, the Union acquired a couple of big-time players in Alejandro Bedoya and Charlie Davies who will very likely do some big-time things in Philly.
But before we all get ready for that, it’s important to remember all of the great things that Sebastien Le Toux — who was traded to Colorado on Wednesday to help make roster/salary space for Bedoya and Davies — did for the Union franchise.
Considering he had 50 goals and 50 assists in Philly and has been the most popular player since the team’s inaugural season in 2010, there are a lot of memorable moments to choose from (and I surely missed some big ones). But here, counting down from 10, is a list of some of the best — from goals to assists to, well, other Seba-being-Seba moments. Enjoy!
10. Showing off his singing skills
You can watch this video of Le Toux trying to sing Don’t Stop Believin’ 100 times and it won’t get old. The best part is when Ray Gaddis incorrectly guesses “Phil Collins,” to which Le Toux responds: “Come on, America!” Le Toux would go on to revive his Journey singing skills on live TV with CBS3’s Katie Fehlinger.
9. Hilarious celebrations
Philadelphia Union
This 2011 goal celebration was rightfully up for MLS Celebration of the Year (it ended up coming in second). And props to the YouTuber who combined it with the AT&T commercial he was mimicking.
Oh and here’s one more celebration before we get to the, you know, soccer stuff. The moment last season when Le Toux followed Eric Ayuk’s five back flips with a simple somersault perfectly encapsulated his sense of humor. He also, it should be noted, had a pretty nice assist on the goal.
8. The assist man
Speaking of assists, Le Toux had so many of them over the years that’s hard to pick out his best. But this one, from a stoppage-time 1-0 win over rival D.C. United earlier in the season, was certainly one of the most dramatic. You’ll definitely enjoy the view from the River End, too.
7. The 2010 All-Star-level goals
Le Toux made the MLS All-Star Game and was named a Best XI player for his dynamic 2010 season. Above are just two reasons why.
5. An Impactful brace
Le Toux had six multi-goal games for the Union. This one against the Montreal Impact in 2014 showed the different ways he could score goals, using his energy to make a couple of defenders miss on the first (thanks to a great long ball from goalie Zac MacMath, who he’ll now be teammates with again in Colorado) and creating something out of nothing on the second.
5. The first and only playoff goal
It came in a 2011 loss to the Houston Dynamo but it’s only fitting that Le Toux scored the franchise’s first (and still only) playoff goal — and that he did in front of his home fans.
4. Mr. Open Cup
After setting the all-time modern-era U.S. Open Cup scoring record in 2014 and scoring the game-winning goal in the semifinals the following year, Le Toux enjoyed more tournament magic in the 2015 finals with a great opening goal in front of one of the best crowds in Talen Energy Stadium history.
3. Opening the stadium in style
Another first for Le Toux: he scored the first goal at Talen Energy Stadium (then PPL Park) with a penalty kick vs. the Seattle Sounders, his former team. Practically automatic from the spot, he would go on to make his next 12 PKs in a row before finally missing one this season.
2. The heartfelt reunion
In his first game back with the Union in 2013 after spending the 2012 season in Vancouver and New York, Le Toux scored the first goal of the MLS season. He actually scored in several other home openers but this one may have been the most meaningful — made evident by the heart he drew in the air to show how glad he was to be back home (tear).
1. Bringing soccer to Philadelphia
Who scores a freaking hat trick in the first-ever MLS game in Philadelphia? Sebastien Le Toux, that’s who.
