Sounders' Marshall retires after celebrated career
The Seattle Sounders' Chad Marshall, one of the top defenders in MLS history, announced his retirement Wednesday.
Marshall, 34, last played on May 4 and has been on the club's injury report due to right knee inflammation.
The center back is the only player in league history to be selected MLS Defender of the Year three times (2008, 2009, 2014). He was chosen to the MLS Best XI and was an All-Star four times each.
"After more than 15 years of living my childhood dream, the time has come for me to hang up the boots," Marshall said in a statement.
"I'd like to thank everyone that has played a part in my career. To my teammates, support staff and coaches: you've been my second family. The locker room is what I'll miss the most. Thank you to the fans of Seattle and Columbus for supporting me throughout the years, as well as the Sounders FC and Columbus Crew SC organizations for giving me a chance to represent them on the field."
Marshall began his MLS career with Columbus in 2004 and was traded to Seattle after the 2013 season. He started 404 of 409 MLS games, scoring 26 goals. He won the MLS Cup with the Crew in 2008 and the Sounders in 2016.
He was the No. 2 overall pick out of Stanford in the 2004 SuperDraft. He had 12 career caps with the U.S. national team.
"Most importantly, I'd like to thank my family," he said. "I'm forever indebted to them for the sacrifices they've made in allowing me to pursue this dream. From heartbreaking losses to MLS Cup wins, own goals to cartwheels, it's been a blast."
The Sounders will honor Marshall before their match against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on June 29.
"On top of his exceptional play on the field, Chad brought a level of veteran stability and leadership to the locker room and was an excellent member of the Seattle community," Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer said on the MLS website. "On behalf of the club, I extend my heartfelt thanks for his service and consider it an honor to have watched him in Rave Green."
--Field Level Media
