CARSON, Calif. - Los Angeles Galaxy defender Tyrone Marshall has been called in to Jamaica's national team for a qualifying match to 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany against the USA on August 18 at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, the club announced Wednesday.
"Tyrone is certainly deserving of this call-up," said Galaxy president and general manager Doug Hamilton. "He is a strong, physical defender who has made his mark on our club and his national team."
Marshall, who will not miss any games for the Galaxy, will be available for selection by Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid for the August 14 against the Columbus Crew prior to his departure. He will return in time for an encounter a week later against the Chicago Fire, both of which will be played at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
"It is tremendous for our club and a reflection of the depth on our team," said Schmid. "For Tyrone to battle back from injury and compete for Jamaica is an honor and certainly well-deserved."
The 29-year-old Marshall has been a vital member of the Galaxy's defense since joining the side just prior to the 2002 season as the club's first pick in the 2002 MLS Allocation and Dispersal Draft. In his first season with the Galaxy, he helped the club capture their first-ever MLS Cup championship, assisting on the lone goal by Carlos Ruiz in a 1-0 defeat of New England Revolution on October 20, 2002.
A 6-2, 190-pound defender, Marshall has appeared in 144 regular season MLS games - making 118 starts - scoring 10 goals and recording 14 assists for 34 points. During his seven-year career, Marshall has spent time with the Colorado Rapids (1998), Miami Fusion (1998-2001) and Galaxy (2002-present).
Thus far in 2004, Marshall has appeared in 11 games and registered 819 minutes on the field. After playing in the first six games of 2004, Marshall sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee on May 8 at Dallas and went on to miss nine games. He returned to the club's lineup on July 4 and scored the dramatic equalizer in the 94th minute of a 2-2 tie at Kansas City on July 24.
"It's exciting to be called into the national team again, especially because we are going up against the USA," said Marshall. "It was very nerve-racking to miss the last qualifier against Haiti because of my injury. I am ready to get out there."
A member of the Jamaica national team since 2000, Marshall was a fixture in the Reggae Boyz squad during 2002 World Cup Qualifying, appearing in 15 of 16 matches. He has appeared for the side than 40 times, most recently in a friendly against Venezuela in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 28.
Tickets are still available to the Los Angeles Galaxy's Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night game and festivities on August 21 against the defending Eastern Conference Champions, the Chicago Fire at The Home Depot Center. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Galaxy seat cushion, courtesy of SBC. For more information or to order tickets, please call the Galaxy ticket office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
