Union Top Scorer Le Toux Says He's Been Traded

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia Union fan-favorite Sebastien Le Toux announced Tuesday morning on Twitter that he has been traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps, and the Union later confirmed the deal.

The hustling 28-year-old French player – who tallied 25 goals for the Union in the franchise's first two seasons, including its first goal ever – is the second significant member of the Major League Soccer squad to depart.

The Union announced Monday that istarting goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón was being released so he could return to his native Columbia. The 40-year-old, who served as team captain last season, is headed to Deportivo Cali to finish his career.

There had been speculation about Le Toux's departure after a tryout with the Bolton Wanderers in the English Premiership failed to result in a contract and what could have been a nice transfer fee for Philadelphia.

Shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, Le Toux tweeted : "Just got traded to Vancouver! Saddest day for me in my Philadelphia Union story.... Still can't believe it."

It wasn't until after noon when the Union posted a news article on its website announcing the trade, confirming that the exchange was for allocation money. The exact terms of the trade were not disclosed.

The team followed with a tweet that read: "We would like to thank @SebastienLeToux for his significant contributions on and off the field over the last two years. #UnionLegend."

Union manager Peter Nowak was quoted as saying, "While this decision wasn't easy, we are confident that the allocation money we receive will provide the flexibility for us to compile the best possible roster for 2012 and beyond. Sebastien has been a valuable member of our team for two years and we thank him for his many contributions to the club."

Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz added, "We feel that in the best interest of our club these decisions need to be made for our short and long-term benefit. Although we achieved great success making it to the semifinals of the playoffs last year we are not in any way content with that. We operate in a highly competitive and demanding marketplace and believe the moves we have made and continue to make improve our roster and give us a better chance to advance past the semifinals. We thank Sebastien for his significant contributions both on and off the field and wish him the best in Vancouver."

Le Toux, who was officially listed as a midfielder on the Union roster but often played up top, led the team to its first playoff berth in 2011 while appearing in 34 games last year and playing 3,060 minutes, both tops on the team.

In addition being the Union's top goal-scorer, he holds the franchise mark for assists with 20.

Over the past two seasons combined, only Dwayne De Rosario combined for more goals and assists than Le Toux – 46 to 45, and no one figured into more of his team's scoring.

Le Toux was named to the 2010 MLS Best XI, and he won the MLS Individual Fair Play Award in both 2010 and 2011. He has never received a yellow or red card in his MLS career.

He previously played for the Seattle Sounders in the MLS before he was taken by Philadelphia in the 2009 expansion draft.

There were reports early Tuesday that the release of Mondragón and the trade of Le Toux could clear room for the team to acquire contract rights to midfielder Roger Torres, who has been on loan.

Tuesday afternoon, the other shoe dropped, and the Union announced that it had completed a transfer for Torres from America de Cali of Columbia. Again, the terms were undisclosed.

The 20-year-old Torres had 3 goals and 2 assists last year in 931 minutes spread over 25 games for the squad. He had no goals and 6 assists in 2010.

The Union has made several noteworthy offseason signings, including two Costa Rican players, 21-year-old forward Josue Martinez and 26-year-old left back Porfirio Lopez, along with 27-year-old midfielder Gabriel Gomez, who is a Panamanian international.

The Union open up the 2012 season on March 12 with a nationally televised game against Portland at 9:30 p.m. EST. The club then returns home to PPL Park on Sunday, March 18 to face the Colorado Rapids at 4:00 p.m.