Sebastien Le Toux hopes it’ll be the last time he’ll ever have to look at the math.
But when he looked at just how close the Union was to qualifying for a second postseason berth in just the club’s short five year history, it makes him shake his head.
“I think it’s a little bit disappointing only because I think we competed very well most of the year and we always kind of like gave up a cheap goal or left points on the field that we should have not,” Le Toux told philadelphiaunion.com recently. “At the end, if you look at our schedule, we probably should have 10 more points – we gave away many of them. So if you have 10 more points, we have 52 and we make the playoffs. It’s a tricky game, but we hope that next year we come back stronger to finish up the game and continue to play the same way, even better, to have a better season for sure.”
That last bit is phenomenal to hear when it comes from a player who has led the Union in one category or another in his four seasons here in Philadelphia. This season Le Toux led the Union with 12 goals in MLS play and added seven assists. In 2013, it was his 12 assists that lead the team, follow that up with an 11 goal, nine assist campaign in a road to the playoffs in 2011 and of course his breakthrough 14 goal, 11 assist mark in the club’s inaugural season.
“I think it’s maybe just the mentality at the end of games. This year, we lead a lot of games and unfortunately we kind of gave [a] goal back at the end of the game,” said Le Toux. “Lots of points that we lost at the end of the year that didn’t make us make the playoffs; we all know we need to be stronger mentally, be stronger physically and make sure we have extra energy for the last 15-20 minutes to kind of finish up the game. And don’t give up stupid goals.”
In the immediate, Sebastien Le Toux is primed to have quite the offseason – making his rounds on the wedding circuit. Le Toux said he’s scheduled to attend five different nuptial ceremonies, including his own in January when he will wed his longtime girlfriend in Philadelphia. Recently, Le Toux returned from a trip to France, where he caught up with family and friends – many of which will be the best men in his wedding in two months. Earlier this week, Le Toux was active in an annual holiday food drive sponsored by 6ABC.
“Yeah, I have a few weddings to attend in Philly of my friends,” Le Toux chuckled. I’m going to attend the wedding of [former Union and current Whitecaps defender] Jordan Harvey in L.A. After that, maybe spend a few days after the New Year in Cabo [San Lucas, Mexico] for some vacation and then just coming back here for my wedding Jan. 17. It will be a busy offseason for me, but I am excited for all these events.”
Make no mistake however, when looking forward to next season and all the changes with two new teams coming into the Eastern Conference, Le Toux is already excited for the prospects of all the changes the Union have made to meet expectations on what is sure to be a demanding season. A new seven-acre practice facility, solidifying local soccer great Jim Curtin as head coach and bringing in a world class consultant in Rene Meulensteen to help assess talent are all positive steps in the right direction.
“Oh, it’s [going to be] an exciting season,” said Le Toux. “We have a few months [off] to see it coming, but new things are going to come in December once you get into all the drafts and offseason discussions. Before you know it the preseason will be here, we’ll have two new teams [in our conference], and it’s exciting to be able to go play in those new places and to see those new fans. It’s great that they’re on the East Coast and that’s great for our conference.”
Le Toux added:
“We talked about all of this as team and we want to bring some excitement to this city. I am happy to play here in Philadelphia and there’s nothing more I want than to give back to some great fans that have given me so much during my time here.”
What do you think of Le Toux’ comments? Leave yours below.
Contact Union digital editor Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com
