The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed veteran defender and captain Chad Marshall to a multi-year contract extension that could keep him in Black & Gold through the 2015 Major League Soccer season. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.
"Chad is our captain and he is one of the best defenders in the league, so he is obviously a very important part of our team," said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. "He is also one of the best players in club history and he's still in his prime, so we couldn't be happier to get him signed to this new contract."
Marshall, 27, is a two-time MLS Defender of the Year and MLS Best XI selection (2008, 2009) who has spent his entire eight-year professional career in Black & Gold. He was an MLS All-Star in 2009 and 2010 and was named the club’s MVP in 2011. Only Mike Clark (221) has appeared in more games for the Crew.
A native of Riverside, Calif., Marshall was selected by the club in the first round (No. 2 overall) of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. Since then he has appeared in 199 matches, starting 196, and recorded 13 goals and 10 assists in 17,436 minutes. In 2011, he appeared in 32 games and recorded one assist.
Marshall was instrumental in the Crew’s run to the 2008 MLS Cup championship, scoring a goal in the Eastern Conference Championship vs. Chicago, and the game-winning goal in the MLS Cup Final against New York.
Marshall has earned 11 caps with the U.S. National Team, scoring in his debut in a friendly against Colombia on March 9, 2005, and also represented his country at the U23, U20 and U17 levels.
14 – Chad Marshall
Position: Defender
Height: 6-4
Weight: 190
Born: August 22, 1984 (Riverside, Calif.)
Hometown: Riverside, Calif.
Citizenship: United States
Roster Status: Domestic
2011 Team: Columbus Crew, MLS
How Acquired: Selected in the first round (No. 2 overall) of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft
Professional Experience: Columbus Crew, MLS (2004-11)
TRANSACTION:
Columbus Crew (MLS) – Signed D Chad Marshall to a multi-year contract extension.
