The Sounders are addressing their lack of MLS experience in the back line with this latest move: bringing 12-year league veteran Tyrone Marshall to Seattle from Toronto for allocation money. The initial response from some Sounders fans is less than enthusiastic, with most seeing Marshall as an old, one year stop-gap move. The club press release is below.
It is also being reported that Khano Smith may be on his way to New York Red Bulls.
RENTON, Wash. - Seattle Sounders FC acquired defender Tyrone Marshall from Toronto FC in a trade for an undisclosed amount of allocation money, it was announced Tuesday.
Marshall, 34, started 39 games at central defender for Toronto since being obtained from the L.A. Galaxy midway through the 2007 Major League Soccer season. He is currently playing with the Jamaican National Team in England. Jamaica plays Nigeria in a friendly on Wednesday night (February 11) in London.
“The addition of Tryone brings us speed and experience to our back four,” said head coach Sigi Schmid. “He’s a player I know well from my time in Los Angeles. He has two rings to his name and that championship mentality is something we can always use.”
A veteran of 11 MLS seasons, Marshall played five-plus seasons with the L.A. Galaxy (2002-07). He was a two-time MLS All-Star and a member of the Galaxy’s MLS Cup-winning teams in 2002 and 2005, and also helped L.A. win the U.S. Open Cup in 2005.
Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid was the Galaxy coach from 1999-2004.
Marshall has appeared in 248 career MLS regular-season games, starting 221. He has totaled 13 goals and 17 assists. Marshall was drafted out of Florida International by Colorado in 1998, then traded during that season to Miami, where he played through 2001.
Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – Acquired D Tyrone Marshall from Toronto FC for allocation money
Position: Defender
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
Hometown: Lauderhill, Florida
DOB: 11/12/1974 in Kingston, Jamaica
Last Club: Toronto FC (MLS)
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I'm a Toronto FC supporter who lives in the Seattle Area.
ReplyDeleteI hope Sounders FC succeeds, but sadly you've got 2 TFC players (the other being Jarrod Smith) who are woeful for the most part.
Smith couldn't find the goal if he was 4 inches away from it and the goalkeeper was sleeping. He's also slow, makes poor passes, and is very hesitant on breakaways.
Marshall as a central defender is not awful, but inconsistent. He has a little bit of a temper and he's been sent off on occasion for rash challenges. He'll get caught out of position when the ball is crossed into the penalty area, but by next week he's making important challenges. Inconsistent, leaning towards not too great.
I hope Schmid realizes quickly that these two are not starting material, and I'm sure Marshall would be the likelier candidate of the two.
Schmid must know Marshall better than any of us do. Columbus and Toronto have become rivals, and Marshall played for Schmid in LA when the Galaxy won an MLS Cup. I don't think Smith will make it here even if he recovers from his hip flexor.
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