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Posted by
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May 30, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Sébastien Le Toux is in his ninth MLS season, and the veteran midfielder has seen it all. The 33 year-old has played for Seattle, Philadelphia, Vancouver, New York Red Bulls, Colorado, and his current team, D.C. United.
Le Toux has always been a talented, and creative footballer that brings a hard work ethic, and the quick ability to adapt to a new team, and different surroundings. His 256 games played standout as a bench mark, but his scoring prowess can't be forgotten.
Sébastien Le Toux has scored 59 goals, and added 57 assists. He is one of only two active MLS players with that 50-50 milestone. How has he put together a long-lasting career with six different teams, and a pair of stints with the Philadelphia Union?
"I don't really know," said Le Toux. "Of those six teams, four were probably for maybe a year and a half. Colorado, Vancouver, New York, and a little bit in Philly. I would say three of the six is not so so long. It's good for me to see how soccer was everywhere around MLS. I just tried to experience that."
D.C. United Coach Ben Olsen brought Le Toux aboard on January 24, 2017 when Le Toux was signed as a free agent. Having someone who knows the league very well, offers advice, and personnel experiences like Le Toux, only helps Olsen and his coaching staff as 4-6-2, D.C. United look to make noise in the eastern conference.
"He's a very intelligent soccer player, not only on the field," revealed Olsen. "His versatility has helped us quite a bit. He's also a veteran guy that's been around this league, that has a good pulse of the team, and a guy I can bounce things off of. He's been a great addition to the group."
Since making his MLS debut in 2009 with expansion club, Seattle Sounders FC. Le Toux has watched how MLS has grown and evolved. It's now becoming more and more of a destination league for younger players, and not holidaying pensioners. The massive support from fans has also taken shape. Le Toux has taken all of this by notice.
"A lot, you can see from every team in the league," said Le Toux of MLS development. "The fans in each new team are just great. To be a player, and to be on the field, and see the stadium full of fans. The quality of course, lots of great new players, younger (players) coming in from South America and Europe. People are not just coming here when they are 35 years-old to finish their careers. It's nice to see that there is a good development. It's a great way to get better."
If the United States, and Canada can successfully win, and host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, that would certainly be a huge jumping board for future MLS development. Having a stage of that magnitude could result in lasting legacy for years to come. A native of Mont-Saint-Aignan, France, Le Toux remembers when France hosted the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and how much it helped with future engagement for Ligue 1.
"It would be great," said Le Toux. "It would be another huge step to keep this league trying to be one of the best in the world. As a young Frenchman, the World Cup was in France, in 1998. It really gave a big boost to French soccer. Lots of people got interested in the (club) team they were living (near). I hope that if the World Cup comes here, it would be great for Canada and the U.S. - Hopefully soccer will take a big advantage of that."
As for what could potential happen after MLS expansion comes to a halt. Nobody wants to touch the elephant in the room that concerns promotion and relegation. Every football league outside of North America has a promotion and relegation system. MLS prefers a regular season, followed by playoffs, and the MLS Cup in December.
"I don't know," said Le Toux. "It's kind of not like a North American thing in every sport. In America there is no relegation, but all around the world for soccer, there is. Maybe not now, but maybe in the future if more teams will be in this league. It can be interesting to have something like this."
In the future MLS could be a league that attracts superstar footballers away from top European and English clubs. The top flight in North America has grown exponentially since Le Toux crossed the pond. In doing so, he has shown that players from Europe can come to MLS make a good wage, living, and succeed on and off the pitch. The next generation of MLS players can look to Le Toux for how to get it done.
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