Saturday night, in a damp Gillette Stadium where the Black-and-Red were determined to earn their first road point of the season, forward Sébastien Le Toux quietly reached another milestone in his standout, eight-year Major League Soccer career. The Frenchman made his 200th career MLS start, his first start for D.C. United, and did what he’s consistently done since joining the league in 2009—he scored a beautiful goal.
Le Toux may be a veteran of the league now, but the forward continues to add to his notable resume. Le Toux’s 200th career start against the New England Revolution makes him one of only 27 active players who have started at least 200 matches. Saturday’s match was also Le Toux’s 251st game played—a milestone that has only been reached by 16 other active players.
While Le Toux’s abundance of starts and appearances cement his reputation as one of the league’s most seasoned players, the 33-year-old’s continuous ability to contribute points and impact matches is his most impressive feat. Le Toux again showed off his attacking prowess in Saturday’s match when he made a strong run into the box, splitting two Revs defenders and connecting with a Lloyd Sam through-ball before chipping the keeper for his first United goal and 58th goal of all-time.
The Frenchman, who has 57 career assists to go along with his 58 career goals, stands alone as Major League Soccer’s only active player with at least 55 goals and 55 assists. Le Toux is now tied for seventh for most career goals among active players, in addition to being third for most career assists and fourth for most career points among active players.
“Sébastien has proven over eight MLS seasons that he is a valuable asset to teams in this league,” Dave Kasper, United general manager and VP of soccer operations, said following the Black-and-Red’s signing of Le Toux in January. “His tremendous work rate, ability to score and create goals along with his experience make him a great acquisition for the club.”
While Le Toux is the third-oldest member of United’s current roster, Saturday’s effort proves the forward remains deft and dangerous on the pitch. With Patrick Mullins still sidelined with a hamstring injury and José Ortiz acclimating to his first season in the league, the veteran striker has stepped up and contributed valuable minutes to the Black-and-Red attack when they’ve needed him. Now, the question isn’t whether Le Toux can still perform—it’s which benchmark will he reach next?
