The Columbus Crew underwent a successcful rebuilding period in 2011, as they parted ways with several veterans and brought in a group of new faces that exceeded expectations last season.
One of the few familiar faces to remain was Chad Marshall, and all he did was help anchor the stingy Crew defense for yet another season. Columbus has rewarded that continued production, and Marshall's continued status as one of the best centerbacks in MLS, by signing him to a contract extension that could keep him with the Crew through the 2015 season.
A two-time MLS Defender of the Year (2008-2009), Marshall partnered with Julius James to form one of the better centerback tandems in MLS last season. At 27, Marshall should continue be one of the league's more dominant defenders.
What do you think of this news? Think Marshall should get a national team look?
Share your thoughts below.
Marysville is well outside Columbus proper. But it’s a pretty nice town for living in–much more livable than St. Louis.
A few years ago he could have become one of Juergen Klopp’s boys.
Who knows what could have happened by this point.
Columbus ahead of St. Louis or Kansas City?
I don’t know about that one, hell just as a sports fan alone there’s more pro teams in both of those cities. Columbus biggest name are the Buckeyes….
Isn’t Chicago considered midwest? I don’t Carl, I’ve been to Columbus, it’s calm & nice place, but seemed pretty dead. Maybe it’s because I spent more time on the outskirt of Columbus towards Marysville as my friend works for Honda
Whitbread makes sense.
Marshall has 11 caps and there was stretch there when he was as aerially dominant as any center back I’ve ever seen in a US shirt. I don’t see Omar and John having much on him. Cameron is a bit different. But as far as I can tell JK rates Marshall about equal with the holy trinity.
He’ll be around 30 by the time 2014 rolls around so his age is irrelevant.
I’m not sure dropping Mendoza was really a good thing? He did take a while but ended up in double figures among other DP forwards like Henry, Donovan, Hasli, Montero, DeRo if they do pay him like a DP above that 400K+ mark that usually means DP status now a days.
I thought once he got some time to get acquinted with the league and his teammates, mainly his forward partner Renteria he did pretty well.
Great move by the Crew. Marshall is a really good CB and is in his prime, still has many many good years ahead of him.
Columbus is a great place to live, probably the coolest city in the midwest. Not surprised Marshall re-signed. And Schellotto and Padula still have roots in the area, running soccer camps, that’s good to see.
I’m excited to see who the Crew sign this offseason.
The Crew got a good amount of stuff going recently..signed a 2nd homegrown player..resigned Gaven..dropped Mendoza..now resigned Marshall..I am sure more awesome news to come
I agree, LA don’t need him. Just gotta hope Leonardo comes back from his knee tear fine and that they’re able to sign him. I remember reading they loaded up on some defenders already which well all they need is depth, they ar fine in their starters and 1st 12-14 guys..
I hope Dasan Robinson can be solid player who can give Omar an occasional rest in US Open Cup and other times when Omar might be super busy with games from MLS, CCL, USOC & with the Nats..
Re-signing Juninho, Leonardo and Franklin are much more urgent than Diouf.
Fogot about Whitbread, Lost in Space is right.
Hell even Michael Parkhurst most likely only has a shot in the January MLS/Scandinavia camp “Camp Cupcake” and is somewhat in contention with Marshall, he might be ahead of him in the CB depth chart.
If Whitbread can stay healthy for the next 2 months and 1 week, I think he gets a call starting next FIFA date in February if he keeps getting starts for Norwirch City who I believe are in the top 10 or at least mid table around 12 in the EPL.
The first good news for the Crew since … well, I’m not sure when. Marshall is a good player and a better person. Glad he’s going to be around to be a cornerstone.
And – yeah, I’m a big Marshall fan, but he doesn’t really need a look at the USMNT level. There are other options that are younger and close enough to his skill level that can compete better on an international stage, and when you factor in his injury history – especially the head injuries – there’s really no need to call him up for a serious look on the national team.
He looks about as excited as I do when I have to do yardwork after a night of getting totally butt-face smashed.
sorta like jim breuer.
Omar Gonzalez, George John and Geoff Cameron seem like 3 good reasons? Those 3 are more likely to get a call. John & Gonzalez for sure deserve it more. Cameron had a short run at Center Back but was great during all of it and has a great track record there being a MLS Best XI at CB before moving to MF and getting injured in 2010. Tim Ream was the 1st guy getting calls before he had his slip this season. I don’t see Marshall getting in the pool any time soon. Too many younger guys with either equal or better skill set and even the young guys in U-23/20 pool might be playing about the same with their clubs…Granted none of them have a set role like Valentin sometimes playing full back not Center back?? But I’d want John & Gonzalez called before Marshall, I’d throw Cameron too with his speed & quickness
There are tons of Options that JK needs to look at prior to looking at Marshall. Whitbread, Gonzales, Cameron, and John all come to mind before Marshall.
Just heard a rumor that the LA Galaxy contacted El Hadji Diouf. Hope like hell for the sake of Galaxy fans that it’s only a rumor. Bruce Arena would kill him the 1st time he behaved like a Fool and we know he will act a Fool in due time.
I always thought he was better than he gets credit for. Why hasn’t he got a look by Klinsmann? He deserves it.
He looks sooo high
That’s one hung over lookin dude.
That’s good.