The contrast is clear.
While American coach Jesse Marsch, who has coached at the highest level in England, Germany and Austria, is poised to lead Canada to the 2024 Copa America semifinals, the U.S. men’s soccer team is far from certain about its direction.
This is Canada’s first major tournament appearance since taking over as head coach in May, and Marsh has led the team on something of a Cinderella-like run in the Copa America, Canada’s first appearance in the tournament.
They are scheduled to face Argentina, the No. 1 FIFA world ranking team and the defending World Cup champions, in the semifinals on Tuesday night at MetLife Stadium.
“I’m at a point in my life where I don’t need any other bullshit,” Marsh said after Canada’s practice at MetLife Stadium on Monday. “I want to do what I want to do. I want to fall in love with the game I love again. This team has helped me find that and I’m very grateful.”
Marsh interviewed for the vacant head coaching position after Gregg Berhalter’s contract as U.S. men’s national team coach expired in December 2022, and the team ultimately ended up bringing Berhalter back on a new contract.
Marsh slammed his experience with the USMNT and U.S. Soccer Federation interview process in May, saying, “I wasn’t treated very well.”
And after the U.S. suffered a disastrous failure to advance beyond the group stage of the Copa America, becoming the first host nation in the tournament’s history to do so, Berhalter’s future with the U.S. national team is once again in jeopardy.
According to multiple reports, the USSF is evaluating Berhalter’s future and expects to make a decision by midweek.
Meanwhile, the 50-year-old coach seems certain to have bounced back from the disappointment of the US men’s national team, leading their neighbours to the north to play some of their best football to date.
While the country that rejected him is in turmoil, Marsh is leading Canada, the country where the U.S. representative should rightfully belong.
“I’ve never doubted my ability as a coach,” Marsh said. “The thing I’ve always wondered about in this job is how to find the right people to work with. The best thing about where I’m at is that it feels like I belong. I feel like I’m working with guys that appreciate what I bring to the table. I appreciate them.”
“The Canadian Soccer Association is a modest but professional organization and I think the new leadership is fantastic. The people of this country are 100% behind me and us and what we’re doing with this team. … I came here because I felt they really wanted me here.”
Canada beat Peru and drew with Chile in the group stage before losing to Argentina, scoring just one point in three games.
They finished second in Group A and beat Venezuela on penalties last Friday to book a place in the semi-finals.
It will be a rematch of the opening match of the Copa America, in which Canada lost 2-0 to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
“We didn’t use Messi well last time,” Marsh said. “He was too free to make runs at the goalkeeper. We won’t man-mark him but he is certainly a key player in our defence.”
Red Bulls coach. New York Post Bill Costa
Marsh is originally from Racine, Wisconsin, but has plenty of experience in New Jersey, where Tuesday’s game will be held.
He rose to fame during his three-year stint as manager of MLS’ Red Bulls, but prior to that he was an assistant at Princeton University, where he played collegiately.
After leaving the Red Bulls, Marsch served as assistant manager at RB Leipzig in Germany, then managed Red Bull Salzburg in Austria for two years, before returning to RB Leipzig as manager for one year and then managing Leeds in England for one year before being released in February 2023.
“Coaching the Copa America final in New Jersey, where I went to college and coached the New York Red Bulls, is a place where I’m surrounded by so many of the people who have influenced me greatly both personally and professionally as well as my mentors. It’s special to see them this week, know they’re coming to the game and be in this historic place,” Marsh said.
“I’m committed to giving my team a chance — not just a special experience, but a really special win.”
