Latest Update on Laurent Merlin (aka The French Guy)

By: Laurie | March 12th, 2007

Does anybody else care about The French Guy now that he’s not a Gal? I do, so if you don’t… Well, suck it up.

First, the good news: Laurent Merlin is still apparently on trial with Chivas USA. (And thanks for reader Jillian for this list of possible translations for “Chivas”. I personally prefer “naughty girl” and will think of them in this way from now on.) Laurent played for 65 minutes this weekend in Chivas’ 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Luis from Sideline Views said he wasn’t all that impressed with his play and that Laurent has a bad first touch. Thanks for your opinion, Luis, but who asked you, anyway?

Luis also saw Laurent’s agent giving his number to the New York Red Bulls’ Bruce Arena. Let us make the assumption that this is soccer related.

And I found some of the story on why Laurent didn’t get the nod for the Galaxy. A lot of the problem apparently stemmed from the Galaxy’s overabundance of forwards. Which is true. We’re more top-heavy than one of Martha’s Italian WAGs of the Week. (And go ahead and click on the link, gents. You know you want to.) Apparently the Galaxy offered Laurent the opportunity to go to one of the USL teams like Seattle or Portland, but he wants to try to make a go of the real MLS. (I’m curious. Was Seattle Sounders really an option? Is it still? My mouse has been millimeters away from purchasing Sounders season tickets on several occasions. If he came here it might push me over the edge.)

I also found a very interesting Laurent Merlin history on BigSoccer, from someone saying he’s a friend (or possibly family member) from France. Of course there’s no way to verify this. (Although for what it’s worth his English syntax reads like that of a native French speaker and the story matches up to what’s been in the press, but with more details.) If you’re interested in his life story, click here.

For what it’s worth, if Laurent were to make the Chivas USA team… Well, of course, my loyalty would remain with my Galaxy. But I wouldn’t mind seeing him stuff a few balls down our goalkeeper’s throat the first time they met.

Not that I’m still bitter that we let him go or anything.