Pencil Chad Marshall into the 2017 back line

A fan simply asked Lagerwey about the rumors regarding the backline - upcoming retirements or free agency.

Laughing, Lagerwey indicated that the “cat’s out of the bag” on Zach Scott. He’s retiring and not part of the 2017 plan. Then he offered this nugget on Chad Marshall.

"Chad signed a new contract this year, so I don't think he's uh... Chad's my neighbor too. He tells me he's going to stay. So as far as I know it's just Zach [retiring]."

Seattle Sounders FC confirmed to Sounder at Heart that Marshall is, in fact, under contract in 2017.

The question came during the post-match session with President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. He’d wrapped up his prepared remarks and faced about a dozen questions from the crowd of about 100.

The three-time Defender of the Year may no longer be at that level, but he’s still a top tier centerback in this league. It will be his 14th year in MLS and he’ll turn 33 during the 2017 season.

Since joining the Sounders Marshall won a Defensive Player of the Year award (2014), recognition in the Best XI (2014), led the best defense of 2015 and twice earned MLS All Star recognition (‘14, ‘15).