Seattle Sounders defender Chad Marshall says he's ready to return to the field on Sunday after suffering a scary neck injury during training two weeks ago.
Marshall was released from the hospital a day after being rushed away from training in an ambulance after colliding with a teammate and hitting his head on the ground during a drill.
Speaking for the first time since the episode, a healthy Marshall told media he's ready to once again help the Sounders on the pitch.
"Every day has gotten better and better since it happened," Marshall said. "I think the trainers did it right, the coaching staff, the way they brought me back in, it went seamlessly. I'm feeling good ... I think I'm ready if I'm called on."
Marshall has had time to recover without much consequence. Thanks to a bye week, Seattle played just one match since the reigning MLS Defender of the Year's injury.
"That was huge, the way that worked out," Marshall said of the scheduling help. "Obviously, I didn't have to miss another game. It gave us a little more time, guys got some rest which was good going into this late part of the season.
"For me, it was nice to be at home relaxing and not stressing that I'm missing a game, missing training. It worked out well."
Seattle, hoping to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference, will visit the Houston Dynamo (At 5 p.m. on ESPN and ESPNDeportes) on Sunday.