Sounders FC defender Chad Marshall is ready to return to the lineup as early as this weekend as Seattle looks to clinch its spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs on the road in Houston.
Marshall spoke with the media Friday for the first time since suffering a sprained neck on September 30, and the reigning MLS Defender of the Year said he expects to be available if needed when the Sounder take on the Dynamo on Sunday (2:00 p.m. PT; ESPN / AM 770 KTTH, El Rey 1360 AM).
Marshall missed the Sounders’ 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy on Oct. 4 and then continued to recover and work back to full training during the international bye week on Oct. 10-11.
“Obviously I was out for a little bit, so you lose some fitness,” Marshall said. “I did a little extra this week to get that back. Going to Houston, it’s going to be hot, so it might be difficult, but I think I’m ready if I’m called upon.”
Marshall was taken off the field in an ambulance and transported to a local hospital when he suffered the injury last month. There were immediate concerns after he collided with another player during a scrimmage, and Marshall said Friday he feels very fortunate he avoided a situation more severe.
“I was falling one way and I got hit back another way, and I felt I little crunch in my neck and immediately had some pain,” he said. “Anytime you’re dealing with the head or neck you gotta be super cautious, so [the ambulance] was probably a little overkill, but you gotta be cautious with that stuff.
“I feel very lucky the scans went the way they did,” he added. “I thought for sure when I went down that it was gonna be something decent. But to be back here in two weeks, in full training, I feel very lucky and very blessed.”
Marshall said he was in a neck brace for 6-7 hours after the incident, before he even knew the severity of the injury. He also said that he’s dealt with periodic neck pain since he was involved in a minor car accident in July 2014, and that he was initially concerned the latest incident worsened any lingering issues before medical scans proved he was okay.
“I’ve never had a teammate need an ambulance or anything like that,” Marshall said. ”I’m happy to check that off my list.”
If Marshall is not called on to start Sunday against Houston, it’s likely that veterans Zach Scott and Brad Evans will get the call in the center of defense after they paired together against LA on Oct. 4.
The Sounders can clinch their seventh consecutive berth in the postseason with a win on Sunday, or they can clinch a playoff spot as early as Friday night, if the San Jose Earthquakes lose at home to Sporting Kansas City.
