Thierry who?

With David Beckham and his wife Skeletor about to hit MLS in the United States, and Arsenal establishing a relationship of sorts with the Colorado Rapids, it seems like as good a time as any to take a closer look at a few familiar names who have decided to abandon the sunny, palm tree-lined shores of North London for the land of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Al Sharpton.

Steve Morrow is probably the most successful former Gunner in Major League Soccer. After playing for Arsenal from 1987 through 1997, Morrow made a stop at QPR before playing two more seasons with the Dallas Burn. He retired after a persistent neck injury, and was then hired as an assistant coach in Dallas in February of 2004, before leaving in May for "personal reasons". He returned in January 2005, again as an assistant coach, before becoming interim manager in November 2006. One month later, Steve was named manager on a permanent basis. I think someone needs to tell the Dallas webmaster about the changes over the last 2 years...


One youth player who never quite made it at Arsenal has quietly established himself in California. Paulo Nagamura, once known to Gooners as Paulinho, is currently on the books of Chivas USA, the team sharing The Home Depot Center with Mr. Beckham's LA Galaxy. In fact, Paulo began his MLS career with LA in March of 2005, before Toronto FC claimed him in the expansion draft in 2007. He was traded back to California and Chivas not soon after the season began. Paulo just scored his first MLS goal this past weekend to give Chivas a 1-0 victory over Chicago.

The official Arsenal magazine recently ran a piece on Paul Mariner, now an assistant to Steve Nicol with the New England Revolution. It is definitely worth the read. It's in the edition with the Brazilians on the cover. I don't know what month-go look it up.

A few other players, including Gilles Grimandi and Anders Limpar, have made the hop across the Atlantic in search of something different. The arrival of Beckham may convince a few more to move permanently or agree to loan moves for that precious 'first team experience'.

And who knows what the club may do with the Colorado Rapids in the coming months. It will be something to watch for, and I'm sure Mr. Kroenke won't let us soon forget.