Jesse Marsch claims USMNT players reluctant to sing national anthem; Clint Dempsey fires back
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, a former USMNT assistant, claimed Thursday that U.S. soccer players sometimes had to be begged to sing the national anthem, contrasting that with the pride he sees in his Canadian squad. Marsch made the remarks at a pre-match press conference ahead of Canada's 2026 World Cup opener, a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. The comments drew a sharp public rebuke from USMNT legend Clint Dempsey, who told Marsch to 'worry about your own team.'
Jesse Marsch, the first American to manage Canada's men's national team, stirred controversy Thursday when he told reporters that during his time as a USMNT assistant under Bob Bradley from 2010 to 2011, staff sometimes had to 'beg' U.S. players to sing the Star-Spangled Banner. Marsch made the remarks while praising the patriotic spirit of his Canadian players, who he said 'belt it out to the top of their lungs.' The comments drew an immediate and pointed response from Clint Dempsey — who played under Marsch's staff at the 2010 World Cup and is now a Fox Sports analyst — who said he 'bled for this country' and told Marsch to 'stay in your own lane.' Marsch's relationship with U.S. Soccer has been strained since 2023, when he was passed over for the USMNT head coaching job in favor of Gregg Berhalter, a decision Marsch described as leaving him 'devastated and angry.' Canada, ranked 30th in the world, opened their home World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the U.S. began their tournament against Paraguay in Los Angeles under new coach Mauricio Pochettino. The episode adds a pointed personal dimension to the already competitive U.S.-Canada soccer rivalry during a jointly hosted World Cup.
How coverage differed
The New York Post framed Marsch's comments as putting the USMNT 'under the spotlight' before they had even played, emphasizing the competitive edge and rivalry angle. The Guardian focused more heavily on Dempsey's rebuttal, giving it top billing in the headline and centering the narrative on the personal conflict, while UPI provided the most straightforward factual account with additional background on Marsch's history with U.S. Soccer.
What different sources said
- New York PostRight
Clint Dempsey rips Jesse Marsch following USMNT national anthem ‘beg’ comments: ‘Stay in your own lane’
- UPICenter
Marsch says he begged USA soccer players to sing anthem while on staff
- The Guardian USLeft
Clint Dempsey slams Jesse Marsch after national anthem dig: ‘Worry about your own team’
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