For the second straight season, the Columbus Crew's Chad Marshall was selected as the league's best defender. Marshall was named as the MLS 2009 Defender of the Year Thursday, joining Carlos Bocanegra and Robin Fraser as the award's only two-time winners.
2009 has been a tremendous success for Marshall, named in July as an All-Star, and earning five caps with the U.S. National Team during the 2009 Gold Cup. However, due to injuries and the national team call-ups, Marshall was limited to just 18 games in MLS, missing the last six games of the regular season with a knee injury. When he was on the pitch he was a vital cog in a Columbus defense that conceded just 31 goals on the year, instrumental in the club's second consecutive Supporters' Shield.
In other awards announced today, Alex Prus was named the 2009 Referee of the Year, and Greg Barkey the 2009 Assistant Referee of the Year.
What do you think of Marshall winning again? Did he deserve it in spite of playing less than two-thirds of the season?
Share your thoughts below.
“When he was on the pitch he was a vital cog in a Columbus defense that conceded just 31 goals on the year, instrumental in the club’s second consecutive Supporters’ Shield.”
Columbus Crew 30 games, 13-7-10, 49 points, +10 GD
With Marshall (18/30), 8-4-6, 30 pionts,+6 GD
Without Marshall (12/30), 5-3-4, 19 points, +4 GD
Statistically speaking, it’s a wash. The Crew’s results were not statistically impacted by Marshall’s absense.
It should have gone to someone on Houston or Seattle.
Cameron got hosed, 18 games played should win you nothing in the league . . .
With Gooch and DeMerit out, I’m pretty sure Marshall will get his opportunity.
Was that his trial in ’08 with Mainz?
Should’ve been Cameron. Played nearly every game and after his transition had some of the best defending football I’ve seen all year. Always knew where his the ball and the attackers were.
Robbed.
I’m thinking Geoff Cameron should have won it.
I’m so glad someone else thought that.
I mean… this year? Can we just say “none qualified”?
I am a Crew fan and I feel that Chad is not really deserving of this award this year. I think there were some other guys that could/ should have gotten it. This is nothing but a ploy by the league to drum up some Euro interest for Chad.
In a related note no one really cared… it’s the MLS!
“Hurtado’s been an absolute rock.”
hurtado was awesome indeed. but cameron played what seemed like every minute of every game. dude’s a stud. as for marshall- he didnt play enough to garner the accolades imo.
….who’s el presidente?
I’m pretty sure this is best DEFENDER of the year. Cameron moving to midfield has nothing to do with it.
Meanwhile, Marshall had a great year for the Crew while still dealing with injuries.
Should have been El Presidente in a landslide. He’s been a monster. Best defense in the league, and that includes at least 4 total giveaways by Tyrone Marshall. Hurtado’s been an absolute rock.
I thought cameron deserved it more but not upset about marshall winning at all
Right on Joseph. Cameron def. was the best defender. played everywhere in that defense that was one of the best even though it had wade barret(33) and craig waibel(34) playing at outside back (two of the slowest guys in the game) and two new starting outside backs in chabala and heinault. plus he played in almost everygame including us open and champions league. what a freakin beast!
Talley? You must be joking. That dude sucks, and has always sucked. He was at fault for all of RSL’s goals against Chivas this year.
Marshall has beefed up his resume big time the past 6 months. Defender of the year 2x in a row and NT caps. I can see him playin someware in denmark, germany, or holland
Fulham up 1-0. Ajax up 1-0.
Marshall the best defender in MLS. Move to Europe, get better, break the MNT XI.
And I think (even though he’s listed as a midfielder on espnsoccernet) he’s starting up top with Kamara. I doubt Roy’s playing a 4-5-1.
damn, i only had Barkley as the 2nd best Assistant Referee in my office pool.
Yes and he should try again…
Bad choice. Cameron or Hurtado would have been better.
What kind of award can we create to give Toledo?
If they are going to have such an award, the right guy won it this year.
just because one moves positions doesnt mean that should factor into the awared. There’s no level of difficulty in this. It’s the best defender. If you think he’s better, fair enough, but just because he moved to the backline from midfield shouldnt play a factor in the decision.
Unreleated: Dempsey is starting for Fulham today against Roma in th Europa League.
ref of the year? they have to be kidding right? it’s like being the tallest midget
He did try, don’tcha know….
Cameron should have won it
I still think Geoff Cameron should have won this award. Cameron had to make the adjustment from midfield to the back line, and played a major role in the Dynamo’s defense maintaining its reputation without Eddie Robinson.
I’m one of the media members who votes on these awards and I didn’t have Marshall in the top three (because he didn’t play enough games, in my opinion). I had Jhon Kennedy Hurtado second behind Cameron and Carey Talley third. (Talley played a major leadership role for a Chivas USA defense that had players going in and out, and played consistently well in an unexpected starting role).
He should go to Europe