2008 MLS Defender of the Year and newly-minted MLS Cup champion Chad Marshall is out of contract, and is taking full advantage of being a free agent.
The imposing center back has turned up on trial at Bundesliga 2 side Mainz 05, the same club that Neven Subotic played for last year, and the same club Colorado Rapids striker Conor Casey once played for.
Should Crew fans be worried? Absolutely. Marshall is coming off a career year and will be able to command a sizeable salary in Europe, whether in Germany or Denmark (where there is also interest). Columbus won't be able to match the contract offers Marshall will receive in Europe and it looks like the Andy Iro era may begin sooner than expected in Columbus.
Is Germany an ideal destination for Marshall? Without question. His physical style, confidence on the ball, and ability to score on set pieces makes him a prototypical center back and with Mainz in first place in Bundesliga 2, Marshall could be playing in the German top flight by next year.
What do you think about Marshall potentially moving to Germany? Is Mainz a good club for him? Share your thoughts below.
COLUMBUS is the best fit! dont fix what aint broken! I mean its JUST MONEY!
mon st. pauli!!!
( a celtic brother team)
=D
Mainz a good fit? Not exactly, St. Pauli is better. =P
In seriousness, I want to take this time to jinx Mainz. You see, they’re on top of the table now, looking to be promoted. St. Pauli lies just outside. Really, I think Mainz will, most likely, be promoted.
There, jinx set, let’s watch Mainz collapse. mwhahaha!
Don’t forget that there are a handful of Americans in the 2.Bundes. Matt Taylor plays well for TUS, for starters.
sounds good, although i hope he doesnt take too many years to make it to the upper division bundesliga, until then Bob Bradley will probably not consider marshall seriously to take the place of Gooch or Bocanegra.
also, I saw Andy Iro for the first time at the HDC, the guy is huuge. hopefully he can defend, and more importantly can use his noggin to get on the end of GBS set pieces.
last time I heard Chelsea signed Marshall and he was suppose to be starting with JT in the center….
ohh wait that was me on fifa lol
Marshall in Germany? Sounds like a plan.
(tip your waiters)
Posted by: EssEff | December 08, 2008 at 03:10 PM
I had a whole lecture about this today in my European history class, lol
Sad thing is to take into account that at middling Mainz, in the 2nd Bundesliga, he’ll still be making significantly more money than Columbus would be willing to pay.
Sad thing is to take into account that at middling Mainz, in the 2nd Bundesliga, he’ll still be making significantly more money than Columbus would be willing to pay.
With Real Madrid having so many problems in central defense, I’m really surprised that Marshall isn’t on trial at the Bernabeu. He would be a perfect fit there.
Marshall in Germany? Sounds like a plan.
(tip your waiters)
Posted by: EssEff | December 08, 2008 at 03:10 PM
—
that just made my day, funny stuff!
maybe he’ll have a great year and be bought by Borussia Dortmund?
RK-
I know Boc is doing very well on one of the best defensive teams in the French League. He is playing LB for them however… and seeing as how loaded we are at the CB position and how we (USA national team) have not one decent LB, I wouldnt be shocked to see him starting there.
Frank-
Heath Pearce is not starting and came in on the 64 min today in a 4-0 loss. Rostock will likely be relegated and Pearce is clearly in the dog house. My point was that it is embarassing that one of our starting 11 cannot even start for a team that most likely be playing in the Bundesliga 3 next season.
THIS GUY IS HORRIBLE!
Heath Pearce was starting and in fact played today. The reason he hasn’t played these last couple of weeks was a red card.
That is not a bad place for Chad Marshall to further his career. Could be a very good situation for Marshall, if Mainz 05 keeps form and makes it to the Bundesliga. I hope he does well on his trial so he can impress and get that contract. Good luck to the guy…
AltiCooper, Bocanegra is doing very well for Rennes.
I’m not disappointed in the players going to 2nd and 3rd tier Euro leagues for a paycheck, I’m disappointed that MLS can’t match Danish and Bundesliga 2 salaries.
Come on docsoc, it’s not like MLS is the only league that plays long balls and the rest of the world is joga bonita. If you’re going to bust out that much Euro-snobbery, at least respect us enough to spell “the” correctly.
And forget Marshall for a sec – this Joe Cannon scenario is a shocker!
Mainz isn’t a small team and they are definitely getting promoted. Mainz is better than any other team in MLS. Plus Mainz got the Maradona of the Balkans on their team (Jahmir Hyka):)
I just wish Major League Soccer’s best defender could do better then a second-division team in Germany.
its not teh pay it has nothing to do with it, the coaching is so much better, why stay in the mls and hit long balls all day to other teams defenders when in germany you learn postitioning, how to build up from the back, and their is so much more pressure and tactics. mls tactics are extrmely behind the rest of the world. people who think marshall is going t go in and start on Mainz who is first in teh bundesliga 2 are dreaming. hes not that good, and not going to displace 2 defenders who are the heart of a defense that is looking to be promoted. when he is on the bench the whole first season people are saying its a terrible move will be way off, he will be ready to play in a couple years but he has to learn european way of play first. look at all our players edu, never plays, altidore lacks understanding and technique and will be the #5 striker when ever one is healthy, guzan still needs time to adjust to be a player in the PL that why hell ride the bench for two years because he has to learn. marshall will be good in europe he needs time. hopefully one day are whole nt is based in europe, except for brain ching.
No more Bundesliga 2 pleaseeeee. I find it embarassing that top american players can’t even get sniffs for ligue 1 teams. Speaking of embarassing how about Heath Pearce. Can’t even start for a terrible Bundesliga 2 team. I really think by Wc 2010 Boc will be our LB.
According to Conor Caset they have one of the softest bench’s in Germany. Why is Marshall so hot? He’s one head bump away from ending his career and has done nothing at the international level. He’s big, below average feet and avergae speed at best. Can’t see him at the top level of any of the top 5 leagues in the world.
Kind of surprised that people think that it is disappointing that all these guys will go to the “lower” league (Danish or 2. Bundesliga). These places are going to pay much more than the MLS, so it only makes sense. You make more money overseas, so why not do it?
And its not down to the individual players to stay here and make this league better. Its up to the league to offer competing salaries and make it attractive to stay.
He will just about guarentee Mainz’ promotion! It would be great if Robles’ Kaizerslautern could also make it back to the Bundesliga next year as well.
I don’t have a problem with our guys playing in Germany. The level of play can’t be that bad. All of Germany’s national players (minus Ballack) play there and they seem to do pretty well, right?
+5 points Esseff. I laughed.
Whats up with Germany and all of our players being fixed on going there?
As for Marshall. I’m a Crew fan in Ohio, and I don’t wanna see him go, but no way we could handle the salary he is gonna make overseas. I wish him the best of luck, hopefully its the start for Mr. Marshall.
As long as they get promoted. MLS is better preparation than any minor league.
Funny one Esseff, I’m sure every History buff in the SBI Mafia had a good laugh at that one.
I’m a little concerned about the league bleeding talent to less high profile foreign leagues like Germany Div. 2 (Marshall) and Denmark (Parkhurst). I hope this is not the beginning of a flood of departures. I guess that’s what happens when you pay your players peanuts.
I guess he remembered his passport this time!!
Being a Crew fan it will be hard to lose Marshal, but he’s earned it. Mainz is not a bad side and most players would rather join a team where they can play rather than just practice and get paid. All the best Chad.
Eugene. The point is that Marshall will be on a team at the top of its division going to a BIG league where he could ,again, draw interest. Little steps, people. Don’t expect Manchester United just yet.
Disappointing. Mainz is a small club.
Marshall in Germany? Sounds like a plan.
(tip your waiters)