CHESTER, Pa. — Over six seasons with the Union, Sebastien Le Toux became the face of the franchise, the expansion side’s foundation, and local folk hero.
On Saturday, the Union made him a legend.
“It’s great to have this moment and it was very emotional, but it was amazing,” Le Toux said. “I cannot describe it. When you are a player, you cannot dream about it. For it to happen to me, it is weird but awesome at the same time.”
At halftime of the Union’s 4-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Talen Energy Stadium, Le Toux was officially unveiled as the first member of the Union Ring of Honor. His name, boldy presented, was strewn opposite the River End above sections 116 through 118.
“There was an energy in the stadium, which was special,” said Union manager Jim Curtin. “It was a really good job by our front office to honor him on a special day. With the signage, I think they renamed the stadium from the size of it.”
Gathering at midfield, Le Toux was flanked by former Union midfielder Brian Carroll and former Homegrown player Zach Pfeffer, along with Union sporting director Earnie Stewart and team owner Jay Sugarman. The team presented Le Toux with a fan-signed jersey, framed jersey and tribute video, which included former players Conor Casey, Kyle Nakazawa and Tranquillo Barnetta.
“I had a great time with all those players and this team,” Le Toux said. “I still have a lot of great memories, more than any player in this team, Tranquillo, Conor, all those guys, we had a great time on the field but also of course I’m still friends with a lot of them. Even though they’re far away.”
Despite the fairytale finish on Saturday, Le Toux’s time with the Union had its ups and downs. He leads the Union franchise in games played (175), career goals (50), assists (50), career shots (320) and shots in a season (90).
He scored a hat trick in the Union’s first-ever home match against D.C. United in 2010, but he was also traded twice, unceremoniously, by the club on separate occasions. It hurt at the time, but was something Le Toux joked about at halftime.
“They traded me once, they traded me twice, but now I’m here forever, and nobody can trade me from that,” Le Toux said. “It’s awesome. I’m a part of this team and this club and I can’t be more proud of that.”
Le Toux was the first name added to the Union’s Ring of Honor, and there’s room for a second, which Curtin believes should be Brian Carroll, who retired last season and currently lives in Indianapolis working as a financial planner.
“If there’s a guy who should be the next one in, it’s him,” Curtin said. “He’s embodies this club, this team and he’s a winner. His career, he’s just a special player. It’s always good to see him.”