Sébastien Le Toux: How a Soccer Nomad Found His Home in Philly (Part 4 of 4)

As the Philadelphia Union enter the MLS playoffs for the first time in their history, Sébastien Le Toux has once again made himself a strong candidate for the league’s MVP award. Rewind the clock to a year ago: Philadelphia’s first season in MLS. As team manager Peter Nowak blended homegrown US talent with players from South America, Africa and Europe. The never-say-die spirit of the Union, and of Philadelphia itself, was embodied by the team’s hardworking Frenchman. Justin Kavanagh followed the team’s progress through that difficult first season and traces the story of Sébastien Le Toux here in the final of four parts.  8.14.10: PPL Park, Chester, PA: Philadelphia Union v Colorado RapidsThose purple shoes are dancing again. It’s the 92nd minute. It’s 1-1. Do or die time. Earlier, Sébastien Le Toux had set up Danny Mwanga with another masterly assist, the second time in a week the Congolese striker had scored off the Frenchman’s vision. Now, Le Toux is going for broke. The ball on his toes, he splits Colorado Rapids Marvell Wynne and Drew Moor and is clearly clipped by Moor. A nailed-on penalty! This is it. Pick yourself up. Stay calm, and stroke home the winner. But ...

Sébastien Le Toux: How a Soccer Nomad Found His Home in Philly (Part 3 of 4)

Since signing Sébastien Le Toux from the Seattle Sounders in January 2010, Philadelphia Union’s team manager Peter Nowak has helped the Frenchman produce the finest football of his career. Le Toux reflects the Pole’s work ethic and commitment on the field, and his route to MLS has echoes of Nowak’s own international soccer odyssey. Rewind the clock to a year ago: Philadelphia’s first season in MLS. Justin Kavanagh followed the team’s progress through that difficult first season and traces the story of Sébastien Le Toux here in the third of four parts.  Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia  April 10, 2010 It’s a strange day at the ballpark. The Philadelphia Union is playing its first-ever home game. But they’re in another team’s home. And their team manager will not be sitting on the home bench. For Sébastien Le Toux, what matters more than this historic game is this morning’s plane crash in Russia. Among the dead are Polish President Lech Kaczynski, and many dignitaries. The Frenchman has Polish ancestry, but more importantly, he wants to do something special for Peter Nowak, the Pole whose faith in his abilities brought him here. Today, Nowak will watch from a private box, in ...

Sébastien Le Toux: How a Soccer Nomad Found His Home in Philly (Part 2 of 4)

As the Philadelphia Union prepare for their first-ever play-off game against Houston Dynamo on Sunday, much of the team’s hopes are pinned on the phenomenal form of French No. 9, Sébastien Le Toux. Le Toux has contributed 11 goals and nine assists to the Union’s historic push into the postseason. Ten of those goals came in the last 12 games. The 27-year-old has played every minute of every one of the Union’s league games this season. Le Toux was named MLS Player of the Month for September and seems a likely contender for the league’s MVP award. Rewind the clock to a year ago: Philadelphia’s first season in MLS. The Union’s locker room echoed with accents from California, Europe, Latin America and Africa. As Polish team manager Peter Nowak strove to impose a collective identity, the French playmaker became a focal point in determining the spirit of the Union. Justin Kavanagh followed his progress through that difficult first season and traces the story of Sébastien Le Toux here in the second of four parts.The town house that Sébastien Le Toux shares with younger teammate Kyle Nakazawa is spartan. No wall hangings, no mementos, no paintings have been added to the ...

Sébastien Le Toux: How a Soccer Nomad Found His Home in Philly (Part 1 of 4)

As the Philadelphia Union prepare for their first-ever playoff game against Houston Dynamo on Sunday, much of the team’s hopes are pinned on the phenomenal form of its French No.  9, Sébastien Le Toux. Le Toux has contributed 11 goals and nine assists to the Union’s historic push into the postseason, with 10 of those goals coming in the last 12 games. The 27-year-old has played every minute of every Union league game this season.   Already a legend among the Philadelphia faithful, this quiet, hard-working player was named MLS Player of the Month for September. Depending on the Union’s showing in the playoffs, he will surely be a hot contender for the league’s MVP award. But in the midst of the build-up and the talk of individual awards, Le Toux’s feet stay firmly on the ground. “It’s a team sport, not just me,” Le Toux told philadelphiaunion.com. “My teammates have done an amazing job the last month-and-a-half and it’s a credit to them stepping up along with me. It’s much better when your team is doing well. We have a better taste in our mouths because we are in the playoffs for the first time.” Rewind the clock ...