In which we address the pre-pubescent new roster, and try to see things from where our beleaguered coach stands.

Photo: Nick Waters

Philadelphia Union

Porfirio Lopez describes what he will bring to the Union: "Having a winning mentality is the most important thing in soccer. I'm going to try to bring my experiences and positive attitude into the group. Without a doubt, winning championships is the priority.

Philadelphia Union

The Goalkeeper has a transcript of Wednesday's press conference with Peter Nowak. Among the highlights:

On Pajoy: "He's a guy who brings not only character but also a mentality to the game. He's very physical, and very fast as well. He can change the game, because he's a different option.

In which one blogger's wife probes the relationship between players and fans.

Photo: Random free speech/satire from the Internet

Philly native Dan Borislow continues to show he has absolutely no shame or class by pushing for his Florida club to play friendlies this season while the rest of WPS had to cancel their season because of legal battles with Borislow.

In this week's Philly Soccer Show podcast, your co-hosts KYW's Greg Orlandini and PSP's Eli Pearlman-Storch are joined by Philadelphia Union and USMNT U-23 midfielder Amobi Okugo and Delco Daily Times journalist Chris Vito.

In part one, Okugo talks with Greg and Eli about the upheaval on the team after the departure of forward Sebastien Le Toux and captain, goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.

Sebastien Le Toux's departure from the Philadelphia Union certainly made headlines. There was much made of the incident after the player came out and spoke his side of the story. It was emotional and troublesome that, according to Le Toux, a professional club in MLS would dismiss a player in such fashion.

A few of the issues that gnaw at us, on the eve of season 3. How 'bout you?

Pour a sip on the concrete, and take a look back at the dearly departed.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian from 2011

The offseason can be crazy in the business that is soccer and sometimes it can be all too easy to forget that in the end, it's really about the game. If you are looking for some inspiration to help you get your soccer head back on straight, go to the Ritz East tonight to see the Philadelphia premier of Laduma.

Javi reconsiders his defense of the front office following the infamous Seba interview.

Photo: Earl Gardner

There are a lot of quotes from Sebastien Le Toux in this article. Many of them come from Chris Vito's (of the Delco Daily Times and The Times Herald) fantastic interview with Seba. Check it out. Many quotes from Peter Nowak are from his January 31 press conference.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

In the hours following the Union's official announcement of their decision to sell Sebastien Le Toux to the Vancouver Whitecaps, the French striker who leaves Philadelphia as the club's statistical leader in nearly every measurable offensive category, showed the professionalism, character, and emotion that made him such a beloved figure in Philadelphia.

January 31, 2012 is a date that will not leave the minds of Union fans for a long time.

A day after finding out that the team captain Faryd Mondragon was going back to Colombia, the other shoe dropped—Sebastien LeToux had been sold to the Vancouver Whitecaps. While the Mondragon move was a lot easier to digest, fans were stunned to find out that the beloved Seba was moving to another MLS team.

Photo: Earl Gardner

Le Toux talks

It just won't stop.

As suggested by the 130 readers' comments posted on PSP in less then 24 hours since the Le Toux transfer news broke, if the sadness felt by Union fans at the news of Sebastien Le Toux's transfer to Vancouver wasn't enough, subsequent comments from Peter Nowak and Le Toux will, for many, see that sadness turn to anger.

Philadelphia Union fans have been dealt heavy blows of late. Their veteran goalkeeper was sent away and within days, the face of their franchise was traded away and not to the glamour of the English Premier League. Rather, Sebastien Le Toux is finding his way up north, to Vancouver.
Officially, Le Toux was let go for allocation money.

Wowzer. There is a lot to this story but man that line at the end really jumps out at you. This was such a sticky situation at least for Le Toux it was.

Why our new Panamanian friend can take us places we've only dreamed of. Sponsored by Rosetta Stone.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

"You just ripped the heart out of your squad. And your fan base."

Martin Longman, Union fan, on the Union web site

"Horrible day, horrible decision. All the guy did was give his heart, soul and sweat to this team for two years and this is how you repay him.

With the International Transfer Deadline producing a flurry of player movement and even more rumors and speculation, MLS witnessed a prominent striker of their own swap jerseys.

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Tuesday afternoon that they have acquired All-Star Sebastien Le Toux from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for allocation money.

Editor's note: Today, the staff here at PUT woke from a 3 month whiskey and BIMBO brand mini Kaiser roll-induced haze to the realization that face-of-the-franchise, leading scorer and all around exception to French stereotypes Sebastien Le Toux was gone. His side of the closet was empty, his neon boots no longer by the door.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

The Philadelphia Union announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have completed the transfer of Roger Torres for an undisclosed sum.

The 19-year-old midfielder, whose loan spell with the Union was about to end, had been on loan from Colombian first division club America de Cali for the 2010 and 2011 season.

The Philadelphia Union confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Sebastien Le Toux has been traded to Vancouver.

In return, the club receives an undisclosed amount of allocation money.

Union head coach Peter Nowak said in the announcement, "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.

Just when you thought the Philadelphia Union had acquired some key pieces to supplement last year's playoff team, two unexpected roster moves have left Union fans with questions galore heading into the 2012 season. This morning, Sébastien Le Toux announced ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.

The Philadelphia Union announced what Sebastien Le Toux already told us: The team's all-time leading everything has been traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps for allocation money.

Reaction to the news has been met with disbelief, scorn, whatever tears look like on twitter, and more disbelief.

See Tim Carr's PSP piece, and our earlier piece on how news of the trade leaked out for more information.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

But if you see me walking by,
And the tears are in my eyes,
Look away, baby, look away.
If we meet on the streets someday,
And I don't know what to say,
Look away, baby, look away.
Don't look at me;
I don't want you to see me this way.

Martin Rennie looks to have built an offensive juggernaut. (Photo via Vancouver Whitecaps)

With the news of Sebastien Le Toux joining the Vancouver Whitecaps on a trade today. It has to, no, it must be pointed out exactly how stacked these Whitecaps are on offense.

Just look at these names currently on the roster (and in camp):

• Camilo
• Eric Hassli
• Atiba Harris
• Omar Salgado
• Darren Mattocks
• Davide Chiumiento
• Lee Nguyen
• Long Tan
• Sebastien Le Toux
• Etienne Barbara (not currently signed)

Holy smokes.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

Sebastien Le Toux tweets, "Just got traded to Vancouver ! Saddest day for me in my Philadelphia Union story.... Still can't believe it"

The Union host Vancouver Whitecaps on March 31.

Take a look at Adam Cann's roundup of the evolution of Sebastien Le Toux to Vancouver rumors for links, but to summarize, the Union appear to be trading Le Toux to Vancouver for allocation money.

Talk about a 180.

Just a week or so ago it was Sebastien Le Toux on a plane to England to train with Bolton. Now he is back in North America and has been traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

No word yet on what the terms of the deal will be but the Frenchman just tweeted out that it is official.

It has been a busy and confusing few days for Union fans. Kerith Gabriel has an updated story on the Faryd Mondragon, Seba Le Toux and Roger Torres. So with the latest information, here is a quick rundown of where we are at:

Sebastien Le Toux rumors (Rumors = no confirmed sources)

• The Union's all-time leader in goals, assists, minutes played, and hilarious goal dances will not be moving to England's Bolton Wanderers.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

The silly season got sillier for the Philadelphia Union over the weekend. Following word from England that Sebastien Le Toux reportedly did not sufficiently impress while on trial with Bolton, and the news that Danny Mwanga is training for two weeks with Aston Villa, the Union transfer rumor well still wasn't dry.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

All-Stars, Le Toux rumors, and a new signing for the Philadelphia Independence are all part of this week's KYW Philly Soccer Show.

In part one, KYW's Greg Orlandini and Philly Soccer Page writer Eli Pearlman-Storch kick of this week's edition of the pod by talking about the MLS All-Star game, which will be held at PPL Park, in Chester, Pa.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Le Talk

Yesterday he's going, today he is staying. An article from sportinglife.com suggests that Le Toux "did not impress sufficiently" at Bolton. Owen Coyle is quoted in the article, "Sebastien came in for a couple of days, and to be fair to him he hadn't trained for four or five weeks.

Featured image courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Le Talk

While posing a hypothetical question to the Union Twitterati whether they would accept $2.75 million for Sebastien Le Toux, Jonathan "The Goalkeeper" Tannenwald mentions, "I've been told there has been no offer yet."

Meanwhile, Daily News reporter Kerith Gabriel writes, "It's likely the Union will start the 2012 campaign without Frenchman Sebastien Le Toux.

Some amazing PSP original work from the past few days: Earl Gardner's sweet photo essay from the SOB Help Kick Hunger event, info on the MLS All-Star game, Ed's fantastic piece on the last All-Star game in Philly, Dan's take on the possibility of selling Le Toux, and Eli's examination of the U's post-Seba strike force.

Kerith Gabriel of the Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that only a contract issue is preventing Colombian striker Lionard Pajoy from completing a transfer to the Philadelphia Union. Pajoy, 30, leads the Colombian first division with 10 goals in 18 games for Itagui Ditaires.

Pajoy's profligacy in front of goal is a new development, however, with his career numbers hardly indicative of a dominant striker.

Philadelphia Union

Le Toux spotted with Tim Ream at Bolton's win over Liverpool on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Kyle Scott and crossingbroad.com

A report from The Bolton News on Friday quotes Wanderers' manager Owen Coyle on Sebastien Le Toux, "I've had some decent reports on him. He's very industrious, hard working and looks a very good team player, which is what I'm all about.

Philadelphia Union

Sky Sports reports that Bolton manager Owen Coyle "claims no decision has been taken as yet regarding a permanent deal" for Sebastien Le Toux.

Jonathan Tannenwald tweets, "A Union source says the team 'would not use Tim Ream as a benchmark' in any negotiations over Le Toux regarding transfer fee.

If Philadelphia Union fans had expected 2012 to be a simple year of growth, they may have another thing coming. Or a major cog going. Yesterday, Ives Galarcep broke a surprising story about the potential sale of Sebastien ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com for the rest of the story.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Pauno is gone. That much we know. Le Toux's status? Training with Bolton with the potential of a deal. Basically, completely up in the air. That makes this as good as any to look at the four strikers who will be battling to win playing time throughout 2012.