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Jesse Marsch expresses preference for coaching Canada over the U.S. at present
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    Jesse Marsch expresses preference for coaching Canada over the U.S. at present

    Jesse Marsch may carry an American passport, but the Canadian soccer coach left no doubt about where his loyalties lie after a big win on Saturday.

    After Canada beat the Americans 2-1 in a friendly in Kansas City for the country’s first win in the U.S. since 1957, the Wisconsin-born Marsch was asked how he felt about topping a program that overlooked him for a coaching opening last year.

    “I’d much rather coach Canada than the U.S. right now,” said Marsch, per AP.

    “You can see the mentality that’s been developed. You can see the way this team plays. You can see how much they love playing for the national team and they’re willing to put their careers and lives and the way they play on the line to be the best they can be for each other and for the team.

    Marsch was hired by Canada earlier this year and led the country to an impressive fourth-place finish in Copa America.

    The host Americans, conversely, were eliminated in the first round of Copa America and then fired head coach Gregg Berhalter.

    Mikey Varas moved up from assistant after Berhalter was fired following the Copa America flop. The U.S. Soccer Federation has been trying to reach an agreement for Mauricio Pochettino to become the team’s 10th coach in 14 years but has not commented on the talks, which began in mid-August.

    Marsch interviewed with the U.S. before Berhalter was rehired last summer.

    “I’m not bitter,” Marsch said. “Most people, if they ask me a question, I answer it. That’s how I operate in the media.”

    Varas, meanwhile, had direct words for his players.

    “The mentality is on the players. Sorry, they know it,” Varas said. “That mentality to fight and to run and to sacrifice, I can’t do that for them. I can’t do that for them. That’s on them.”

    — with files from AP.

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    Jesse Marsch, the highly respected American soccer coach, has recently made headlines by expressing his preference for coaching the Canadian national team over the U.S. at present. This surprising revelation has sparked a lot of discussion within the soccer community, with many wondering why Marsch would choose to coach a team other than his own country.

    Marsch, who is currently the head coach of RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, has a long history of success in coaching both in the United States and abroad. He began his coaching career in Major League Soccer with the Montreal Impact before moving on to become an assistant coach at the New York Red Bulls and then the head coach of the club. He also had a brief stint as the head coach of RB Salzburg in Austria before taking on his current role at RB Leipzig.

    In a recent interview, Marsch explained his reasoning for preferring to coach Canada over the U.S. at this time. He cited the potential for growth and development within the Canadian national team, as well as his desire to help build a strong soccer culture in a country that is often overshadowed by its southern neighbor.

    Marsch also mentioned his admiration for the work that has been done by John Herdman, the current head coach of the Canadian national team. Herdman has been credited with revitalizing the Canadian program and leading the team to some impressive results in recent years, including a historic victory over the U.S. in the CONCACAF Nations League.

    While Marsch’s comments may come as a surprise to some, they highlight the growing strength and potential of Canadian soccer. With a talented pool of players and a dedicated coaching staff, Canada is poised to make a significant impact on the international stage in the coming years.

    It remains to be seen whether Marsch will ultimately make the move to coach Canada, but his comments have certainly sparked a lot of interest and speculation within the soccer world. Whether he ends up coaching in Canada or elsewhere, one thing is clear: Jesse Marsch is a coach who is passionate about the game and committed to helping teams reach their full potential.