On May 7, 2008, the Seattle Sounders announced forward Sebastien Le Toux as their first MLS signing.
Exactly 10 years later to the date, the 34-year-old Frenchman announced his retirement. It was an illustrious career for Le Toux, who also had stints with the Philadelphia Union, Vancouver Whitecaps, New York Red Bills, Colorado Rapids and D.C. United.
However, he will always be cherished in Seattle for being the first MLS Sounder. He was the only player on the roster for several months until Kasey Keller joined that September.
He made his professional debut in France with Lorient in 2004. After 15 appearances, he signed with the Seattle Sounders, then a club in the USL First Division, in 2007. He earned league MVP honors that season.
"I came two years ago with a French team, to play in Dallas before the MLS final." Le Toux told SoundersFC.com in December 2008. "I played well and so I was invited back to a tryout with Dallas the next February. That winter I met a girl in France, and she said if I didn’t stay in Dallas, that I should consider coming here. I stayed one month in Dallas, but I didn’t sign. So I came here, signed here and really enjoyed my season."
In his second year with the Sounders in 2008, the club was preparing to join MLS the following year. Ahead of its inaugural season, Sounders FC inked its USL standout to a contract. Le Toux would make the leap to MLS with his club.
Le Toux, who lived on Whidbey Island while with the Sounders, played an important role in the club's first MLS season. He recorded an assist on the first MLS goal in team history via Fredy Montero and also added the winning assist in the 2009 U.S. Open Cup final against D.C. United.
He was selected by the Union in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft, where his career blossomed. In all, he played over 260 MLS matches and recorded 59 goals and 57 assists. He is one of just 19 players in league history in the 50/50 club.
