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Ahead of the USA’s World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday, former US Men’s National Team assistant coach and current Canada head coach Jesse Marsch shared his experience leading the USA in the 2010 World Cup.
Marsch threw a dig at the American team, and former players didn’t hesitate to respond. But let’s back up.
Marsch opened up about his time in charge of the USA under 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 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 at the 2010 World Cup.
“I can’t take that guy too seriously,” Dempsey said ahead of Canada’s opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday. “It was an honor for me to grow up and represent my country. I wasn’t one to normally sing. I put my hand over my heart and pray to the good man upstairs.”
Dempsey remains one of the USA’s most talented players through his three World Cup appearances – he was the only player to score in all three – recording 54 goals in 141 games with the USA. When it comes to playing for the United States, Dempsey emphasized 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 will not take advice from someone who switched to the other side and sings for another country’s national anthem.”
Marsch assisted Bradley from 2010-2011 and was part of the Americans’ World Cup staff in 2010, when the squad topped Group C before being eliminated by Ghana in the round of 16. Marsch was heavily considered to take over as USA’s head coach in 2023, but he was ultimately sidelined when former coach Gregg Berhalte was sidelined.
In addition, FOX Sports’ Thierry Henry offered his advice to Marsch ahead of his World Cup debut.
“You’ve got to walk the walk and talk the talk. You can’t hide behind the fact that you’re a decent team,” Henry said ahead of Canada’s opening 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 arriving on Team Canada in 2024, Marsch has accumulated a record of 12-12-5.
