Consider it a rite of passage.
As the final step to secure his work visa, Laurent Merlin needed to make a trip outside of the United States a week ago. His native France was too far a journey to make; after all, Chivas USA needed him as soon as possible, and a far quicker turnaround was needed.
So he went to the club's birthplace. Merlin traveled to Guadalajara so his work visa could get the final stamp it needed to allow his deal with Chivas USA to go through. And thus, the former Galaxy trialist's career with Chivas USA began in the city dubbed La Perla Tapatia -- the Pearl of Jalisco, the Mexican state where Guadalajara is located.
While in Guadalajara, Merlin was around Chivas de Guadalajara. As it turned out, he stayed in the same hotel the club used to prepare for the Clasico Tapatio against city rivals Atlas.
"I saw the Chivas team and I was very impressed," Merlin said through a translator. "There were a whole lot of crowds outside the hotel. It's a little bit like Marseille where I played because it's a mythical club like Chivas."
Merlin joined up with Chivas USA in Houston and was promptly called into action. Merlin replaced Alex Zotinca in the 89th minute as Chivas USA tried in vain to overcome a 1-0 deficit to Houston. It was the culmination of a journey that started in early February, when Merlin traveled from France to Carson, Calif., as one of 800 players who participated in the Los Angeles Galaxy's open tryouts.
But it was also the official beginning of what for now is a two-month contract that Merlin hopes to turn into something much longer.
"My goal, as the games go by and the training sessions go by, is to prove to the entire coaching staff that I can become a starter and score goals in games and to stay here as long as I can," Merlin said. "I'd like to sign a contract for three years if it were possible. I have Preki's confidence, which is good, as well as the entire coaching staff."
Although the Galaxy tryouts received global attention and drew players from all points because of the David Beckham acquisition, Merlin said he thought merely of playing soccer with professionals, not necessarily a global icon.
"It's good to be fully integrated into this team," Merlin said. "It's interesting for me to be with Chivas. My goal wasn't really to be with the Galaxy because of Beckham and all that stuff - it was to be able to play."
Merlin was one of two players who earned trials with the Galaxy but was the last person standing. He accompanied the club on a trip to Bermuda. Upon his return, however, he was not offered a contract. Galaxy coach Frank Yallop was content with his options up front. Yallop, though, referred Merlin to Preki and -- much to the dismay among his rapidly growing Galaxy fan base -- Merlin donned the Red-and-White.
He played in scrimmage matches and scored a goal against the New York Red Bulls on March 14. After the match, Preki said he would consider offering a developmental deal to Merlin, which he eventually did.
"Thanks to Preki, I found myself on this team," Merlin said. "I really feel very good in this club. I know I just need to give the best of myself and the rest will work out."
At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Merlin has speed and agility as well as a fine touch. His linguistic skills are also being unearthed. He can carry a simple conversation in English. On the field, though, his somewhat impaired ability to communicate with teammates is not as big of a deal.
"Soccer is a game that should be fairly easy to communicate it in," Chivas USA forward Ante Razov said "He's got to do his part and learn some English and we'll work on that as it comes."
Perhaps because of his suave appearance or debonair looks, Merlin has earned the nickname "Papi." During training sessions, players don't call for "Merlin" or "Laurent" but rather: "Papi!" "Papi!"
Merlin just hopes he can show enough to have those calls sounding for some time to come.
"There are so many people who have congratulated me for coming here," Merlin said. "They said it's great to have come and play in the American league. For me it's a great city and a great club. My goal is to stay here as long as I can."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
