Seattle Sounders center back Chad Marshall looked again like his typical, bruising, imposing self last Saturday in a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake.
This was a welcoming sign for Seattle, which missed the veteran defender for a three-game stretch from April 23-May 6 while he nursed lower back pain. Marshall was strong defensively, slowing down RSL attackers Joao Plata and Luis Silva, but also in building the offense from the back.
Marshall did not miss a pass on Saturday, going 68 for 68 with 20 of them coming in the attacking half of the field. His composure and consistency to find Osvaldo Alonso and Cristian Roldan — Marshall sent nearly half of his passes to his two defensive midfielders — allowed the Sounders to enjoy 65 percent possession and unleash 17 shots.
Marshall will look to do the same this coming Saturday when the Sounders welcome rivals the Portland Timbers to CenturyLink Field (12 p.m. PT; FOX, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS) for their first Cascadia clash of the season.
