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Ahead of the United States’ World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday, former U.S. men’s national team assistant coach and current Canada head coach Jesse Marsch shared his experience coaching the United States in the 2010 World Cup.
Marsch criticized the American team and the former players did not hesitate to respond. But let’s go back.
Marsch spoke about his time leading the USA with former head coach Bob Bradley and commented on his perspective on the players, specifically what he thought was missing.
“In the United States we had to beg the players to sing the national anthem,” Marsch said.
Marsch’s comments didn’t faze FOX Sports’ Clint Dempsey, who played for Marsch and the U.S. national team in the 2010 World Cup.
“I can’t take that guy too seriously,” Dempsey said before Canada’s opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday. “It was an honor for me to grow up and represent my country. I wasn’t someone who normally sang. I put my hand over my heart and prayed to the good man above.”
Dempsey remains one of the United States’ most talented players in his three World Cup appearances (he was the only player to score in all three) and recorded 54 goals in 141 appearances for the United States. When it comes to playing for the United States, Dempsey highlighted his experience representing his country.
“I bled for this country. I broke my nose playing for this country. I came back from two heart procedures and played for this country,” Dempsey added. “I’m not going to follow the advice of someone who went over to the other side and sings another country’s national anthem.”
Marsch assisted Bradley from 2010 to 2011 and was part of the Americans’ 2010 World Cup staff when the team earned a first-place finish in Group C before being eliminated by Ghana in the round of 16. Marsch was seriously considered to take over as U.S. head coach in 2023, but was ultimately sidelined when former coach Gregg Berhalter was rehired.
Additionally, FOX Sports’ Thierry Henry offered his advice to Marsch ahead of his World Cup debut.
“You have to walk the walk and talk the talk. You can’t hide behind the fact that you’re a decent team,” Henry said before Canada’s first game. “By the way, you took a job that someone started… That team was already there when he arrived. Yes, he elevated them. Let’s see what he can do today against Bosnia.” [and Herzegovina]”.
Since Marsch made Team Canada in 2024, he has compiled a record of 12-12-5.
