Chad Marshall Named MLS Defender of the Year

Columbus Crew centerback Chad Marshall has been named the MLS Defender of the Year for the second consecutive season. Once again, he has been a stalwart for the Crew, who have now finished atop the regular season standings in both of the last two years. This accolade is Marshall's second award of the year, as he was named to the Gold Cup All-Tournament team in the summer.

Marshall missed some time at the end of the season with a knee sprain, but played 90 minutes in Columbus' playoff opener against Real Salt Lake. In his first game back, he was able to anchor a Columbus backline that kept Robbie Findley, Yura Movsisyan, and Fabian Espindola in check for the first 88 minutes of the match (Marshall was not involved in the one goal that was scored, either). With Oguchi Onyewu out for 6 months and Jay DeMerit out for most likely 2 months, Bob Bradley needs to find some depth at the centerback position, and Marshall is a favorite to be partnered up with Carlos Bocanegra in the upcoming friendlies if he the Crew do not move on in the playoffs.

Marshall struggled with concussions a few years ago that threatened his career, but he has stayed relatively healthy over the last two, which, not coincidentally, have been his best years as a professional. He considered a move overseas last winter, trialing with Mainz of the 2.Bundesliga, but he ultimately ended up re-signing with Columbus. So far, that decision has been a good one, as consistent playing time and standout performance has allowed him to work his way into the conversation for Bob Bradley's World Cup roster.