Sounders FC Q&A: Tyrone Marshall

Today's Sounders FC Q&A is with defender Tyrone Marshall, who is currently trying to find a place for he and his wife and four kids to live this season after being traded to Seattle from Toronto FC last week.

Kickin' it with...Tyrone Marshall

Position: Defender

Age: 34

Height: 6 feet 2

Weight: 195 poundsHometown: Kingston, Jamaica

Last club: Toronto FC (MLS)

Question: Your thoughts on coming over here in the trade?

Tyrone Marshall: "I think it's a good move for me. Myself and my family. I think that was a key decision for me. I really wanted to come back to the States. Canada was a good experience for me but at the end of the day I have to make the decision that's going to benefit you and your family and I made that decision. ... It's a win-win situation for me, to be honest."

Q: What is it going to take for an expansion team to compete for a playoff spot under coach Sigi Schmid?

TM: "I think it's going to take the players that we have here. I think Sigi has brought in a good crop of young talent especially, with veteran guys as well. And I think if you have a good mixture of leadership with young talent, I think you definitely have a shot at getting to the playoffs."

Q: This is a whirlwind tour for you, going from the Jamaica national team in London to here and then to Argentina?

TM: Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's tough and I'm still looking for a place to get my family over here. As you can tell, on the pitch today, it was kind of tough getting your legs underneath you for the first time in training. I think I was in London last I remember, so I'm still in awe, right? But it's just one of those things that comes with the job and you have to get acclimated really quick, and I'm very excited to be here. My family's very excited as well. They can't wait to get out here, and I'm very excited to get the season started and to get to know the guys as well."

Q: Have you played at Qwest Field before?

TM: "Yeah, I have actually. I played a couple of times against the [USL] Seattle Sounders when I was with L.A. [Galaxy]. So I have some good memories here and hopefully I can make some memorable ones as well coming this year."

Q: Does your relationship with Sigi help your transition here?

TM: "I think so. That decision was easier for me, to be honest, knowing that Sigi wanted me to come out here, and I know how it's like to play underneath him and I know what he wants. I know he's an intense coach and he doesn't like to lose and I'm that type of player as well. You come out every day with your lunch pail to work."

Q: How long have you had the Mohawk [haircut]?

TM: I've been rocking it for a while, yeah? I've been rocking it since L.A. and keep going back and forth and when it gets warmer cutting it down and you'll even see some designs as well. I have to get my barber going as well."

Q: With 11 seasons in MLS, have you picked up a nickname?

TM: In L.A. the guys called me 'T-Rex,' right? It sticks with me. Funny you mention that, the boys on FOX Sports used to call me "The Jamaican Hatchet." It was one of those things playing defense, you know, you hack away and all that good stuff. Very hard tackling. It just comes with the territory, right?"

Practice highlights:

• Practice was held at Qwest Field and will be Thursday as well before the team heads to Portland for an exhibition game against the University of Portland Pilots. Twenty-seven players attended. F Jarrod Smith (hip injury) and D Jared Karkas (hamstring) were limited.

• Marshall and M Densill Theobald made their practice debuts. Marshall is under contract while Theobald, from Trinidad and Tobago, is on a trial.

• Osvaldo Alonso took a kicked ball to his groin and writhed in pain on the ground for several moments before being able to stand up and walk. He returned to action.

• Play of the day: F Fredy Montero stopped on a dime with the ball, controlled it back to himself as D James Riley bit on the fake, and floated a pass to M Sanna Nyassi for a goal during a scrimmage drill. GK Chris Eylander had two athletic saves and F Vini Oliveira won a scrimmage for his team of five when he looped a ball over Eylander into the net.

• Schmid, on Sounders FC facing Chelsea FC of the English Premier League in July in a friendly: "It's great. For players to get an opportunity to play against a club of that magnitude and stature is something that I know you mark on your calendar and something you really look forward to as an athlete. For us as an organization and a staff, it's something we look forward to as well. I guess we're not quite sure who will be the coach [for Chelsea] but it going to be a tremendous experience."