Marshall lands MLS coaching job

Former Jamaica international footballer Tyrone Marshall has been named assistant coach for Real Salt (RSL) of Major League Soccer (MLS), North America's top professional competition.

On Monday, Marshall signed a contract to join the RSL staff, where he will work alongside former club and international teammate Andy Williams, also an assistant coach.

He and Williams will team with second-year head coach Jeff Cassar, a former teammate of both at the now-defunct MLS club Miami Fusion.

At the time of his appointment, Marshall had been serving as head coach and technical director at Derby City Rovers, a United States-based Premier Development League team. He had reportedly been considered for an assistant coach position at RSL last MLS season.

Marshall viewed his stint in the lower league, along with his long MLS playing career and time assisting in the US college ranks, as valuable experience for his new assignment.

"I basically had to go get that experience," he said yesterday. "So now I see (the RSL job) as a transition to take the next step, the next level."

qualified

Marshall said he holds an 'A' licence from the US Soccer Federation, which he earned while still playing in MLS.

"I have the necessary qualification to make the transition," said Marshall, who is noted for his quality playing most positions on the field.

"I was doing the appropriate things, staying involved."

Marshall said the bonus of Williams being his friend should also help him adapt speedily to his new club, located in the US state of Utah.

"Andy being there, it does mean I have a friend there who can help me transition quickly," he explained.

Marshall played in MLS from 1998 to 2012, spreading over five different clubs, including Colorado Rapids twice.

The former League all-star won the MLS Cup with LA Galaxy in 2002. His other MLS clubs include Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders. Overall, he made 349 professional appearances, scoring 20 goals.

Marshall represented Jamaica more than 80 times. He has always expressed a willingness to assist the national programme, but said he was "not aware" of any coaching job offers.

He has not given up on that quest to help Jamaica, but made it clear his full concentration is on his new assignment, which begins with a visit to the MLS Players Combine, starting this weekend in Florida.

"Right now, the focus is on Real Salt Lake and helping them to win another championship," said the 40-year-old Marshall. "Later down the line, I would consider a coaching job with Jamaica. That was always going to be a dream."