NEW YORK – The Philadelphia Union's red-hot striker Sébastien Le Toux collected the MLS player of the month award for September after his season exploded into life.
The Union striker received the accolade from the voting panel of North American Soccer Reporters, as a blistering spell saw him blow up the scoring charts.
Predatory finishes were commonplace as the Frenchman scored seven goals in six games during September, leading the Union frontline superbly in the process. Philadelphia’s No. 9 propelled his team up the rankings to second place in the Eastern Conference with his sharp shooting, as the Union fell to just one defeat in six games.
Le Toux started the month off in fine form when he sparked a memorable Union comeback against New England on Sept. 7. With Philadelphia trailing 4-1 at the half, Le Toux and the Union rescued a point against the Revs. He made the score 4-3 from the penalty spot in the 79th minute before drilling home a dramatic right-footed equalizer to make it 4-4 in the 91st minute.
WATCH: Le Toux makes it 4-4 in stoppage time
Le Toux bagged another brace against D.C. United on Sept. 29 to continue his hot streak as Philadelphia secured a 3-2 win. He also recorded solo strikes against Real Salt lake, Columbus and Kansas City to firmly put himself in contention for the MLS Golden Boot. Despite not winning a player of the week award in September, Le Toux’s terrific month did not go unnoticed. The 27-year-old became the first Philadelphia player to win player of the month honors during the 2011 MLS season.
Other players to receive first place votes from the North American Soccer Reporters panel were Osvaldo Alonso of Seattle and August's player of the month, D.C.'s Dwayne De Rosario.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH WINNERS, 2011
March: Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake
April: Brad Davis, Houston Dynamo
May: Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
June: Graham Zusi, Sporting KC
July: Kevin Hartman, FC Dallas
August: Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. United
September: Sébastien Le Toux, Philadelphia Union
