MARSHALL STAYS, BAD MOVE

Written by: tyler ransburgh

Lets start with the understanding that I am a Crew fan. I was at the first game in Ohio Stadium and went to multiple games this season. Having Chad Marshall on the Crew is nothing but a positive. Chad was MLS Defender of the Year for a reason and every team in MLS would take him in a second if they could.

Chad Marshall should have gone to Germany.

The offer made by both the Crew and Mainz were said to be close. So we can remove any variables with pay.

Next, lets look at each team and their prospects:

The Crew will have the majority of the same players as last year (though that might change as Sigi might convince some to follow him), but I assume the team will be the same. The Crew will have a new coach that has been with the team for years, so again, no real change here. We also know that he won’t have to fight for a starting place. An injury is the only thing that will keep Marshall off the field. Chad has nothing else to win or prove in the MLS. He has won the Cup and the MLS Defender of the Year.

Mainz on the other hand is in Bundesliga 2. Mainz is currently in 1st place and are favored to win promotion to the Bundesliga next season. While Marshall might not walk in and be given a starting position, he has the skill to gain that position. Next year he could be playing in the Bundesliga against the Bayern Munichs of the world. Unlike his current standing in the MLS, Marshall has much to gain. Playing in a more competitive league, and more European exposure.

The next argument is getting a place on the US National Team. Well, he has been with the Crew for years and has gained little notice of the national team bosses. I’m not saying you need to play in Europe to make the National team, because that is not true. Just look at the upcoming team and where the majority of them are currently playing…it is not MLS. The majority of the players on the 2010 World Cup Team will not be from the MLS, and we wont even get into the starting eleven.

In the end my argument is Chad Marshall has mastered MLS. He has nothing else to prove in the States. It is time to expand his resume and skill set by playing in a different county (and I’m not saying Europe is the only place to go).

Again, I’m glad the Crew have him for another season and I look forward to watching him live again next season.