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Philadelphia sports fans don’t choose just any athlete to be their beloved hero. But when the bond is created between player and fan base, they are forever linked.
In the brief history of the Philadelphia Union, there’s always been one figure who stood out among the rest.
Sebastien Le Toux is widely considered the best player to ever don the blue and gold, and even if a better soccer player comes along one day and breaks his records, the Frenchman is always going to be a club legend.
“My heart, it’s here,” Le Toux said during an emotional press conference Tuesday at Talen Energy Stadium, where he signed a ceremonial one-day contract to retire as a Philadelphia player. “It’s how I felt since the first game when I scored a hat trick at Lincoln Financial, and there was a connection. I met my wife who’s from here. Everything brings me back here, not just the soccer part but everything else.”
At a club where tumult became its trademark, Le Toux always felt like a constant.
“Seba” always gave 100 percent and would come up with the big goal when the Union needed him the most.
“I was not expecting this today,” Le Toux said. “I have so many great connections from my time here. I have nothing but praise for everybody here. I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like on June 23.”
He retires as Philadelphia’s all-time leader in games played (175), goals (50), assists (50), shots (320), shots on goal (144) and corner kicks (379).
Although he always held a special place in the hearts of the fans, Le Toux spent two different stints with the club.
In what could only be described as the most-Union thing to ever happen, the club traded him away — twice.
The first time he was traded to Vancouver. Le Toux returned to the Union a year later for his second stint, which lasted four years until another trade, one that felt worse.
Le Toux’s name was barely mentioned in the press release of his trade to Colorado in August, 2016, and he understandably felt frustration about the deal, as did the passionate fans who felt the same heartbreak. He then spent 2017 with D.C. United until the club announced in August both parties decided to “mutually terminate his contract.”
As time passed, Le Toux understood Philadelphia’s decision was strictly business-related and built a good relationship with the current leaders of the club.
“When you get traded it’s hard because you don’t know,” Le Toux said. “When you’re a player you don’t think (about it being a business decision). When you are really involved like I was, it was the team I wanted to play for, it was hard to accept at the beginning, but the more time goes, the better idea you have about how things go and you make your peace with it. It just takes time. I said to Earnie I was mad the second time it happened because I wanted to be here, but I understand why.”
Despite being shipped away twice, Philadelphia is still home for Le Toux, and he’s the only player in club history worthy of opening the club’s ring of honor.
Sure, there have been more skilled players and international veterans at the club who formed strong relationships with the fans, but no one matches Seba.
When Le Toux announced his retirement Monday, some Union fans declared it the “best thing to happen to the team all season.”
At a club where few things have gone right in the eyes of the fans, Tuesday’s press conference and the upcoming June 23 unveiling of the ring of honor will be perfect.
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“A club that’s as young as we are and trying to create a culture, identity and all that, that says everything about what kind of steps the club is making and trying to find a way to honor those who have meant a lot for the club,” sporting director Earnie Stewart said. “I think it’s a proud moment for him and the organization now that tradition what we speak about. It’s a young club and there are traditions already in place, but really putting them into protocols and writing is even more.”
And while the path to the honor has been unique, there’s no other player who exemplifies what the Union stand for than its first honoree.
“Coming here [for the season finale last year] and seeing the energy, I knew inside of me it was the team I want to finish at,” Le Toux said. “So I’m very glad the Union called me back and we did something together. I would like to continue to work for this team in the future.”
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