Sounders' Le Toux is league MVP

The Sounders kicked off a banner weekend in Seattle soccer with an announcement and another potential announcement. On the eve of the USL First Division Championship final against the Atlanta Silverbacks, Sounders forward Sebastien Le Toux was named league MVP.

Shortly after the league awards were announced, SI.com reported that Major League Soccer has scheduled an announcement within the next two weeks that Seattle will be its next expansion city, a report that was neither confirmed nor denied by Sounders owner and potential MLS investor Adrian Hanauer.

"Nothing is final," Hanauer said. "We are optimistic, but there is still work to be done."

Messages left for an MLS spokesman were not immediately returned.

Hanauer and Hollywood executive Joe Roth head an investment group in a potential MLS franchise in Seattle, joining two other groups of outside investors that have expressed interest in owning a Seattle expansion club.

The MLS plans to expand to 16 teams from 14 by 2010. SI.com reported a Seattle franchise would enter the league in 2009.

In winning the MVP, Le Toux beat out Silverbacks forward Daniel Antoniuk. For Le Toux, it is another step in an impressive first season in the U.S. after starting his professional career in his native France.

Le Toux started the season as a defender, the same position he played in France. He moved to midfield and, shortly thereafter, to forward, where he tied for the league lead in goals with 10; he added seven more in Open Cup, playoff and exhibition play.

"His impact in the style of play of our team is clearly evident by anybody that sees it," said Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer, who was a finalist for coach of the year, but lost to Portland's Gavin Wilkinson. "I think Sebastien has been a very valuable piece to this team."

Le Toux plans to stay in the U.S. for the rest of his professional career, including hopes for a stop in the MLS.

"I want to play in the MLS next year. In two years I want to come back to Seattle to play MLS," Le Toux said.

Though Hanauer reiterated that nothing is final with the MLS, he did concede that Le Toux is an MLS-caliber talent.

"If the MLS is in Seattle, Sebastien would certainly be welcome to the team," Hanauer said.

But first, Le Toux plans to lift the Sounders to their fourth league crown and second in the past three seasons.

SOUNDERS VS. SILVERBACKS

WHAT: USL First Division Championship

WHEN/WHERE: Saturday, 7:05 p.m., Starfire Soccer Complex, Tukwila

RECORDS: The Sounders won the Commissioner's Cup at 16-6-6 (54 points). The Atlanta Silverbacks finished fourth at 12-9-7 (43 points).

NOTES: Both teams reached the final after dramatic wins in the semifinals that required penalty kicks. Seattle topped the Puerto Rico Islanders 4-2 after battling to a 3-3 draw in the series. Atlanta beat out the Portland Timbers 3-1 after a 1-1 tie in the aggregate goal series. ... F Daniel Antoniuk and M David Hayes led the Silverbacks with seven goals each. ... F Sebastien Le Toux topped the Sounders with 10 goals. ... The Sounders lead the all-time series 3-2-2 and are unbeaten in their past three meetings with the Silverbacks. They did not allow a goal in two games this year against Atlanta. ... The game will be televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel.

-- Matthew Gaschk