CHESTER, Pa. -- Just two months after Union fan favorite and leading scorer Sebastien Le Toux was dramatically exiled to the Vancouver Whitecaps in a trade, the Frenchman will make his first return to PPL Park on Saturday.
Taking on his former team in the arena he helped build with hard work and scoring prowess, Le Toux will have an opportunity to find closure with the Union crowd, who will most certainly support him. But after scorching coach Peter Nowak in an exit interview and vowing to retire rather than play for the man again, not everyone is thrilled with the players return.
Are you being serious or are you joking? Nowak said, when asked about the reaction Le Toux will get when his name is announced. Maybe confetti, parade? Maybe banners? I dont know how its going to be and Im not worried about this thing whatsoever.
But asked if he would reach out to Le Toux, Nowak didnt flinch.
Why not? he said. Of course.
Visibly irritated by having to discuss Le Touxs return, Nowaks dismissive reaction was echoed by his players, who refused to elaborate on facing the likes of Le Toux, along with former teammates Jordan Harvey and Brad Knighton, also with the Whitecaps.
Once we step on the field, we dont remember our friends or who we used to play with, Amobi Okugo said. Im sure before or after we will convene with each other -- but on the field, were enemies.
Okugo did admit that facing familiar opposition and knowing their tendencies makes life easier on the field.
It makes it a lot easier but they will be working hard, Okugo said. Were going to be working hard also, trying to get a win for our team.
The sting of elimination
Joining the under-23 U.S. Mens National Team in hopes of qualifying the US for the London Olympics, Freddy Adu, Okugo and Sheanon Williams only found stunning defeat.
Coming off a devastating draw to El Salvador on Monday in Nashville, Tenn. that officially eliminated the U.S. from Olympic participation, the trio returned home to the Union, where they licked their wounds and tried to push onward.
It's just the second time since 1976 that the U.S. team will miss the Olympics.
We just want to get back on the field as soon as possible, Okugo said. We want to try and forget what happened in Tennessee.
Its time to focus on Philadelphia now and try to put that in the past. We need to learn from it, build from it and use it as motivation.
Both Williams and Okugo saw spot play with the national team, which should have them ready to start for the Union on Saturday against the Whitecaps. However, Adu, who was named captain of the high-profile squad and called the defeat the worst in his professional career, logged major starting minutes and completed three games in five days, making him doubtful for Saturday.
Its not an easy situation for them, I know how disappointed they all are, Nowak said. I feel sorry for them because this process is never easy, especially being eliminated in this fashion. Freddy played a good three games in a short period of time so were going to access where hes at physically. Were going to figure out what to do with this.
Im sure Freddy will like to be apart of the time but we have to make sure were all on the same page with everything. We have the medical staff to go over the situation with him and well decide from there.
E-mail Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com.