Could Le Toux Have Re-Union?

Sebastien Le Toux said the second time meeting his former Union team in a Major League Soccer game was much different than the first.

The circumstances were certainly different.

And so was the result.

Le Toux was his usual bundle of energy in the New York Red Bulls' 2-0 win over the Union in Saturday's matchup at Red Bull Arena.

It was only his third game with his new team since being traded on July 13 from Vancouver.

Le Toux was traded in the preseason from the Union to Vancouver and then returned to PPL Park on March 31 when the Union and Whitecaps played to a scoreless tie.

"That was much more emotional, coming back to PPL Park," he said. "I had a lot of great memories there."

Could he return there one day permanently?

Le Toux is a free agent after this season. He was traded by the Union after the team felt he would be a distraction in his contract year. Le Toux disagreed at that time with that assessment.

What nobody argued with is that Le Toux's relationship with former team manager Peter Nowak was beyond repair.

Nowak is now gone, so could Le Toux return?

Basically, he said he is not ruling anything out, but he was only answering the question when asked. He made it point to say right now there is only one thing that concerns him.

"My only goal is to help New York win the MLS championship," he said. "I am not thinking of anything else."

One understands how much Le Toux meant to the Union, scoring 25 goals in two seasons and emerging as a true fan favorite. He also has a motor that doesn't stop and has already made a major impression on his new teammates.

"He is an incredible player and has an incredible engine and you know you will get a great work ethic out of him," said Red Bulls forward Kenny Cooper, who scored both goals against the Union. "Already you have seen his influence on the team."

Cooper, Le Toux and one of the MLS's best players, Thierry Henry, give the Red Bulls an imposing trio who can score, create and in Le Toux's case, grind it out.

"I am lucky to be on this team and playing with those two guys and all the guys here," he said. "It has only been three games and I am sure I will progress a lot."

Le Toux will make one final regular season appearance at PPL Park, when the both teams close out the regular season on Oct. 27.

A few months ago, it would have been preposterous to suggest that Le Toux could have a permanent reunion with the Union. Now anything is possible, although if he continues to play at a high level, there could be plenty of suitors for his service.

Still, his most successful time came in his two seasons with the Union. That shouldn't be lost on anybody, including his former team.