ThereâÂÂs been something of a bad taste in the Philadelphia air the past few months, with changes aplenty and some of the clubâÂÂs most respected players departing for pastures new â and not always willingly. Such was the case of Sebastien Le Toux.
Le Toux and FourFourTwo exchange small talk in French ahead of some difficult questions regarding the last six months. The timing is apt, given that Le Toux returns to Philadelphia this week to play against his former employers.
He comes back to PPL Park having already made his mark on the scoresheet â after four minutes of his Vancouver debut. Having moved fairly seamlessly, itâÂÂs a throwaway comment that potentially explains how he made such a transition.
âÂÂI am, what is the word? Ambidextrous?â he asks. That flexibility with his hands may have stretched to other facets of his life. It was certainly the case at Philadelphia. Not only a goalscorer, Le Toux contributed to 57% of the teamâÂÂs goals in his two seasons â a staggering feat, and part of the reason so many questioned the decision to move him on.
In a protracted relocation, his destination initially appeared to be Bolton Wanderers. Asked about the trial in Lancashire, he interjects. âÂÂI wouldnâÂÂt really call it a trial, more a visit. I wasn't ready physically and after I came back things went very fast with the trade.âÂÂ
As fans registered their concern at the decision to let him join Vancouver, Le Toux opted to tell his story. Considering how often the intricacies of player trades go unknown, the Frenchman was breaking from convention.
Many attributed his open nature to the fact he lacked representation, something he has since rectified. âÂÂIâÂÂve got someone else since this happened. IâÂÂve had agents before in my career when I was younger.âÂÂ
It also seemed to serve as testament to Le Toux the man. When it came to dealing with the Union, he felt a middleman wasnâÂÂt needed. A cynic may call this naive; an optimist would prefer to term it admirable.
ItâÂÂs very easy to feel sympathy for Le Toux. As he tries to move on with his career, the story crops up again and again, like a bitter divorce. Was he angry? âÂÂI was frustrated at how he [coach Piotr Nowak] treated me, but I have a lot of friends from there. My girlfriend is from there. I'm trying to turn the page and focus on my career with the Vancouver Whitecaps.âÂÂ
Le Toux is polite and answers every question honestly. Having had time to calm himself, he's less outspoken than before. The same canâÂÂt be said for Nowak. His weekly press conference was peppered with questions of Le TouxâÂÂs return and the coach manager decided against diplomacy.
Asked how he thought Le Toux would be welcomed back, the former DC United manager replied "Maybe confetti, maybe a parade and banners. I have no idea what it's going to be like and I'm not worried about that whatsoever."
As Chris Vito of the Delco Times reported, it didnâÂÂt end there, Nowak continuing his discourse with one reporter for sometime after the press conference had finished, much to the surprise of those in attendance.
By contrast Le TouxâÂÂs approach is far more relaxed. Asked how he will come down from the emotions of the weekendâÂÂs game, he replies with typical understatement: âÂÂI like to drink wine and listen to music. IâÂÂm very thankful to be doing what I do, and living my dream.âÂÂ
His more tranquil disposition may be due to a healthy relationship with Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie. His early report is glowing, with Rennie seeming to offer much of what he missed towards the end of his stay in the city of Brotherly Love.
âÂÂHeâÂÂs a great person; IâÂÂm very happy he is my manager now,â says Le Toux. âÂÂMartin is very communicative with the players, his door is always open. You know you can count on him, and he can count on you.âÂÂ
Vancouver will be hoping to rely on Le Toux this weekend. PhiladelphiaâÂÂs season has begun with three defeats and staunch criticism of the new project being undertaken by the club. ItâÂÂs a stark juxtaposition with Vancouver, who sit atop the Western Conference with seven points and optimism bubbling nicely in the Canadian city after a tough inaugural season in MLS.
But if Vancouver is quickly becoming a home from home, how will Le Toux feel to play at PPL Park as a visitor? He laughs and pauses to consider his words, not through difficulties with the language barrier â his English is flawless â but as he tries to assess and order his emotions.
âÂÂIâÂÂm looking forward to playing in front of my family and my friends in there. I will be focused on winning the game for my team.â And with this diplomatically polite answer, Sebastien Le Toux leaves to prepare for the final 90 minutes of this chapter.
