Canales Daily: Chad Marshall's Head's In Game

By Andrea Canales

Chad Marshall used his head to help advance his soccer career, but then that body part nearly ended his dream of making a living in the game.

The Riverside, California native splashed into the international scene in impressive fashion in 2005, scoring a goal on a header in his debut match with the U.S. squad. Marshall's goal in a friendly match against Colombia was the result of excellent instinct to get into the right position, perfect timing on the connection and an emphatic finishing touch.

It seemed the latest step following an impressive youth national team career that had always moved in a positive direction. Marshall was a standout defender who could reasonably expect to use Major League Soccer as a launching pad to a career in Europe.

Instead, while Marshall waited to get called up for his fifth cap, fate dealt him a blow to the head.

Specifically, a concussion. Or rather, four in a year-long period. As the Columbus Crew centerback began to exhibit signs of post-concussion syndrome, a debilitating condition that can linger for months, years, and even a lifetime, alarmed doctors withdrew him from the rest of the 2007 season entirely.

By the time Marshall was able to recover and have the kind of year in Major League Soccer that he'd hoped for, years had passed.

"It's been a while since I was called into a camp," Marshall acknowledged after a recent national team training session. 

Marshall's excellent play with his club team earned the invite from Bob Bradley. Not coincidentally, his return to the Crew helped the team capture the Supporter's Shield for the best regular-season team. He also scored the winning goal for the squad on a header to help the team capture its first-ever MLS Cup Championship.

"It's good to have a good year with the Crew and have some of our guys get recognized and get called in," said Marshall.

Accolades of 2008 aside, Marshall was adjusting to the U.S. camp.

The speed of play here is obviously a lot more so than at the club level, but that's to be expected," Marshall said. "The intensity of training is that much more."

All things considered, though, Marshall didn't think he'd changed too much from the player that burst onto the MLS scene in 2004 as a rookie. he gave him teammates credit for helping him turn in more consistent performances.

"I don't find myself doing anything extra-special in the last three years," Marshall stated. "I think that the group of guys that we had in Columbus was special. We're getting recognized - I think that's the main difference, how much better we've gotten at the club level."

Perhaps that chemistry that the Crew have developed was part of the reason why Marshall decided against a move to Europe after a trial with a German club, Mainz.

"It was a good experience," Marshall reflected. "I thought I did well and they told me I did well. They offered a contract. But at the end of the day, I thought it was a good fit in Columbus and the team and MLS stepped up with a good offer. I'm glad I decided to stay."

Other things might have factored into Marshall's decision to remain. First of all, no one in MLS strikes a soft service lob into the box from a corner or free kick better than Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who the Crew were able to retain and sign to a new contract.  Secondly, a move abroad could take some time to settle in, and any lack of playing time could adversely affect Marshall's chances to contend for a 2010 World Cup spot, right when he has finally fought his way back into the national team picture.

It was clear that even attending the January camp meant a lot to Marshall.

"It's exciting to be here - not knowing last year if I was going to even play soccer anymore," Marshall declared. "To be able to play with some of the best in the league is a great opportunity."

Everything soccer-related is more precious to Marshall now, after having spent a good part of 2007 wondering if his days in the sport were done. A former Crew teammate, Ross Paule, was forced to retire due to post-concussion syndrome. Having witnessed that outcome first-hand, Marshall knew the risk that recurrent concussions could debilitate him.

"It was really scary, I'm not going to lie," Marshall admitted. " If I had gotten another one last year, there's a good chance I wasn't going to play any more. I was thinking about what I would do if I wasn't playing soccer. I'm not sure what I would do instead - I guess I'd go back to school and figure it out. I didn't really have another plan and that's why I'm glad to be back."

Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com USA.