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Published on: 4/9/2009
Last Visited: 4/11/2009
Jesse Marsch became only the sixth MLS player ever to reach 300 league games played.
Jesse Marsch became only the sixth MLS player ever to reach 300 league games played. (Getty Images)
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CARSON, Calif. -- Prior to the start of Chivas USA's home match last Saturday, club president and CEO Shawn Hunter presented Chivas captain Jesse Marsch with a plaque commemorating a milestone that only five other MLS players have ever achieved: the MLS Original had played in his 300th game.
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Marsch reached the mark two weekends ago against FC Dallas, putting him in the elite company of Steve Ralston, Chris Henderson, Kevin Hartman, Cobi Jones and Jason Kreis as the only players to appear in 300 or more MLS league games.
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"To be honest, I didn't even really know about the figure until a week beforehand," said Marsch with a smile on his face.
"It does remind me that I've been around a long time."
Marsch's career began at D.C. United, where he played a small part in winning the first two MLS Cups (1996, 1997).
He went on to Chicago, where his playing time increased significantly and he took home his third MLS Cup (1998), as well as three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups (1998, 2000, 2003).
He arrived at Chivas USA early in 2006 after a trade with Chicago.
"I think when I break my career up into segments, it's almost perfect for me to go D.C., then Chicago, and then Chivas," said Marsch.
"In D.C., I was a rookie and I came in off the bench and I was learning what it was about to be a pro.
Then came Chicago and I was on the field all the time but I was still learning and developing.
Then I come here and I'm the leader and the guy that sets the tone every day.
It's a good breakdown for me in terms of the stages of my career."
At the start of his 14th season in MLS, Marsch continues to stay in good shape and has captained Chivas USA to a perfect 3-0 start.
"I've paid more attention to my nutrition and how I take care of myself on a daily basis," said Marsch of his impressive longevity.
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I made that decision maybe six or seven years ago," said Marsch.