Columbus Crew defender Chad Marshall was named
MLS Defender of the Year for the second consecutive season Thursday.
Marshall started all 18 matches in which he played during the regular season,
and is the second player in league history to win consecutive awards, joining
U.S. national team captain Carlos Bocanegra, who won in 2002 and 2003 with the
Chicago Fire.
Marshall anchored a Columbus defense that allowed only 31 goals in the regular
season, which was third fewest in MLS and established a new club record.
Marshall helped the Crew win their second straight Supporters' Shield title,
awarded to the team that finishes with the league's top regular-season record.
Marshall won MLS Player of the Month honors for August after leading the Crew
to a 4-1-0 record during the month, which included four shutouts. Marshall was
also third on the team with four goals, including two game-winners.
Marshall joins Bocanegra and former Crew defender Robin Fraser as the only
two-time Defender of the Year award winners. Marshall led the voting ahead of
Seattle Sounders FC defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Houston Dynamo defender
Geoff Cameron, the other finalists for the award.
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