April 11, 2008 MLS Toronto FC Tyrone Marshall looks forward to playing Los Angeles Galaxy (from Toronto FC Media Relations)
04/11/2008 5:16PM
Sunday's game special for Marshall
Former Galaxy member relishes playing vs. old mates
Toronto FC Media Relations
When the MLS schedule was released, many players will have circled the games against David Beckham on their calendar. But for TFC defender Tyrone Marshall, Sunday's game at Los Angeles is special for different reasons.
Marshall spent five years playing for L.A. and during that time he established himself as one of the leading defenders in the MLS. "I think LA is one of those games that every team gets pumped up for, but especially me seeing as I have routes down there," the Jamaican international told TorontoFC.ca.
Marshall won the MLS Cup with L.A. in 2002 and again in 2005. That year he was named the club's Defender of the Year, was a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year, and included on the MLS All-Star team.
"It's always good to go back where you've had a lot of success and get one up on them so i'm definitely looking forward to this. I have good memories, I met a lot of friends there and we won two championships so for me it's always a good place to go back to. Coming away with a win would make it even better."
Marshall left L.A. before the arrival of David Beckham. He played eight times for the Galaxy last season before coming to Toronto on June 13 in a trade for forward Edson Buddle.
The 33 year old has started both of Toronto's games so far this season, and admits there has to be a big defensive improvement from the team.
"We are a better team than we showed in the 4-1 loss that we had at D.C. last week. We have to prove ourselves and hopefully come out with a positive result. We have been working very hard in training this week. We just have to go there and make some adjustments. We've worked a lot on the mistakes we made and those are smaller things that we have to work on and make some adjustments. I think we've done a good job on that in training. We need to take what we have done on the training pitch into the game on Sunday. We have to remember what we did and keep focused and keep talking to each other."
Marshall is well aware that David Beckham isn't the only threat in the Galaxy side. Landon Donovan will also have to be guarded closely.
"He's a great player and with all great players you have to pay attention to him wherever he is on the pitch," explained Marshall. "But he hates the physical game. I played against him when he was with San Jose and I know him from being on his team. If you're aggressive with him and get on top of him I don't think he likes that. Most of the really good players don't like that. You have to be very tight with him and get him off his game a little bit.
The Galaxy's record is 1-1-0 going into the game against TFC. They were beaten 4-0 at Colorado Rapids in their season opener, but then won 2-0 at home to San Jose Earthquakes. Marshall believes his old team has the potential to make the play offs this season. "If they get the job done they have a chance to finish higher than last year, it's the same with us. It doesn't matter who is in the side though, you have to do it when you get on the pitch."
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