Posted by Heath Harshman

By Heath Harshman- WFD Fan Correspondent

Most people would find it difficult to continue something that they had been told they were not good enough to do. Philadelphia Union forward Sebastian Le Toux is not one of those people. The Frenchman has been undervalued for most of his career and is now showing those who missed out just what they're missing out on.

The Rennes-born Le Toux began his football career playing for his hometown youth setup in France. His first professional experience began in 2004 as a member of F.C. Lorient of Ligue 2. In his two years there, from ages 20-21, the 6-foot forward managed just one goal in fifteen appearances. His professional stay in his home country was short lived and before the 2007 season Le Toux decided to move to the United States and try out for MLS side FC Dallas.

The tryout was unsuccessful for Le Toux who then turned to the Seattle Sounders, then of the USL-1, for his first shot at soccer in America. He took advantage of his first opportunity in the States and netted 10 goals for the Sounders, tying him for the league lead in the USL. He tallied 24 points in all during his inaugural campaign. By the end of his rookie season Le Toux was voted USL-1 MVP and led Seattle to a 16-6-6 to earn Commissioner's Cup for best record. The Sounders also won their second USL-1 crown in three years and advanced to the semifinals of the US Open Cup.

Le Toux then improved, once again, on his numbers and led the line for the Sounders in 2008. He made the Second team All-USL-1 by scoring 14 goals and 32 total points on the year. This improvement and his obvious ability to put the ball in the back of the net was not unnoticed by the Sounders when they made the jump to the MLS and Le Toux was the first official player signed by Seattle on May 8,2008.

He was not able to translate his impressive numbers to the MLS in 2009. In 28 appearances, 15 of which starts, he scored just one goal and provided three assists. Largely playing on the wings for WFD Guest and Seattle Head coach Sigi Schmid, Le Toux was unable to make the same impact as his previous years in the Northwest.

With the inception of the Philadelphia Union for the 2010 MLS season the Sounders could protect only 11 players from the Union's expansion draft. For the third time in his short career Le Toux was deemed surplus to requirements and left unprotected. Philadelphia took advantage and selected the now United States resident Le Toux in their draft. He hasn't looked back.

After a disappointing 2-0 road loss to his former club on his debut for the Union, Le Toux put Philadelphia on the score sheet for the first time in the MLS in their home opener on April 10, 2010. He did it in stylish fashion as well, netting a hat trick for an exciting 3-2 victory over D.C. United.

As a member of the Union, Le Toux has flourished, playing up front and scoring goals like he did in the USL-1. He has started in all 23 of his appearances this season and tallied an impressive 12 goals, good enough for a tie for fourth in the MLS. That total puts him ahead of guys like Fredy Montero, Conor Casey and Omar Cummings. In addition to scoring goals he has provided 10 assists this season, also good enough for a tie for fourth best in the league.

After leaving his home nation, being doubted, proving himself, being undervalued and then finally once again proving himself, Sebastian Le Toux has achieved quite a bit. His hard work and dedication to improvement is obvious when watching him play and even more so when looking at his statistics.
The amount of young European MLS players isn't staggering and likely never will be. But Le Toux has created a blueprint for others in Europe to be able to make a name for themselves in America. Like the two previous players on which I've written profiles, (see: Fredy Montero, Kei Kamara) the league is a better place with Sebastian Le Toux in it. The addition of the Henry's, Marquez's, Beckham's and others are all welcome to the young MLS, but it is the guys like Le Toux that hold the key to taking the MLS to the next level. I think I speak for many MLS fans when I say I would welcome the appearance of more "Le Toux's" appear over the coming years.

In addition to being a weekly blogger for WFD, I write for the Washington State University student newspaper, The Daily Evergreen, where I have a weekly sports column. I am also the Washington State University men's basketball beat writer for Jim Basnight's college hoops blog on mynorthwest.com. You can find past pieces and follow my work not only for WFD but for The Daily Evergreen and mynorthwest.com by following me on twitter @heathharshman or adding me on facebook. Any feedback is welcome at heath_harshman@yahoo.com.