They came from miles around to The Home Depot Center, to see if they could realize a dream of playing in Major League Soccer. Some crossed a continent while others traversed oceans, just for the opportunity to make the Los Angeles Galaxy roster -- and of the 800 players who tried out, the journeys are just beginning for two players.
Rui Fortes and Laurent Merlin were the fortunate two who survived the Galaxy's open tryout to play another day. Fortes is from Portugal and most recently played for the Rhode Island Stingrays of the fourth-tier USL Premier Development League. Merlin is French and came up through the Olympique Marseille system, last playing with Chateauroux in the French second division.
After playing in three games over the weekend, the pair both caught the eye of Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop, and he was more than happy to give the two hopefuls a chance.
"You go through the process and in the end you have to look at it for what it is and give some players a chance. I don't think surprised would be the word," said Yallop about finding not one, but two players to emerge from the open audition. "We'll see how they do."
One thing is for certain. Standing out against competition at a tryout and standing out against the competition at the MLS level are two completely different things.
"You can't tell if the level they were trying out in will actually turn up here," said Yallop. "It's a different level -- we'll see how they do this week and then we'll make some decisions."
Fortes had his first taste of training at the MLS level on Tuesday and echoed Yallop's thoughts about the jump in overall competitiveness on the field.
"It's a dream come true to make it this far but you have to keep at it and work hard," said Fortes. "(The level of play) is far beyond the PDL. MLS is quicker and there is better play. It's at a faster pace, and you get to play with some of the best players in the country."
Both Fortes and Merlin will have plenty of chances to showcase their talents this week. While Yallop is still trying to get his team fit for the upcoming season, he's planned games for the rest of training this week.
"We'll play a big open game tomorrow, we'll play a game on Thursday and Friday so we'll have plenty of time to watch them," said Yallop. "They'll have plenty of chances to do their thing in the matches."
The one thing that both players have going for them is that any decision the Galaxy makes on Fortes and Merlin will be based strictly on talent. Fortes holds a green card and therefore won't count against the international roster limits in MLS. Likewise, Merlin is only 22 years old and also wouldn't count against the senior international roster limit.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
