by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

Outgoing Columbus defender Chad Marshall has completed a trial with 2.Bundesliga leaders Mainz 05, who will now take some time to ponder making him a contract offer.

The reigning MLS Defender of the Year arrived late last week to train with the promotion chasers, working 90 in a friendly against Darmstadt on Tuesday.

"I don't know when a decision will be made," Mainz press officer Tobias Sparwasser told Soccer365 on Thursday. "He might be asked to accept a role behind the two starters, and not every player will do that."

Although the club are currently happy with starters Christian Demirtas and Nikolče Noveski, they are interested in signing the out-of-contract Marshall to initially fill the #3 central defense slot. Being that the transfer window doesn't open in Germany until January 1st, Mainz are clearly in no rush to complete a deal.

"Our coach got a good impression of him," added Sparwasser. "We have two regular starters, and then two younger defenders, who are youth internationals. We need someone who can (provide depth). We must see if he might be willing to be a back-up."

Earlier in the day, an article in German paper Allgemeine Zeitung ran quotes from coach Jörn Andersen praising Marshall, who then revealed that impressing Mainz was his only focus at this time. "I think I fit in here," said the 2008 MLS champ. 

Marshall will now return to the States to wait out the club's decision, while the '05ers continue their quest to regain Bundesliga status with a Sunday trip to Oberhausen.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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