In a move that stirred controversy, American soccer coach Jesse Marsch proudly sang the Canadian national anthem before Canada’s World Cup elimination match against South Africa.
Once a player for the U.S. national team, Marsch now leads the Canadian squad. His recent actions reignited a previous uproar caused when he revealed he had to urge his American players to sing the Star-Spangled Banner before games.
On Sunday in Los Angeles, Marsch enthusiastically joined his coaching staff, linking arms and energetically, singing ‘O Canada’ with evident conviction.
Fans took to the platform X to voice their displeasure. A critic remarked, ‘What a complete phony Jesse Marsch is. He should be forced to reside in our 51st state permanently. Cease singing their anthem! Do something about it, @marcorubio.’
Another commented, ‘An American like Jesse Marsch singing the Canadian anthem is sheer performative nonsense,’ while someone else expressed frustration saying, ‘Jesse Marsch is an absolute traitor for singing O’ Canada.’
Marsch, who is the first American in history to manage Canada’s men’s soccer team, previously held the role of assistant coach for the USA at the 2010 World Cup.
Jesse Marsch belted out the Canadian national anthem ahead of the World Cup clash in LA
The American linked arm with his coaching staff and sung O Canada loudly and proudly
‘When I first came, I had to learn a lot about what it meant to be Canadian,’ he said. ‘Being a leader in this sport, I’ve always tried to create an environment where our differences make us stronger, not weaker.
‘From the moment I stepped into the environment with this team, I was impressed by how much they loved each other, how much they were drawn to each other and how much, even though there were differences, their back stories had similarities.
‘Every one of these boys is incredibly Canadian and the pride they have in putting on the jersey, representing the country and hearing the national anthem.
‘In the US sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem. These guys [Canada stars] belt it out to the top of their lungs because they want to show the country how proud they are to be Canadians and to represent what Canada is.’
During his time as an assistant coach for the USA, Marsch worked with the likes of Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey at the World Cup in South Africa.
On the field the players also sung the anthem in front of a largely American crowd in California
Clint Dempsey didn’t sing during the anthem, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t proud, he said
Dempsey, who is working the tournament for Fox and was a key member of the 2010 US squad, disputed that version of events.
‘He really said that?’ Dempsey said. ‘Man, I can’t take this guy too seriously. It was an honor for me growing up [to] represent my country.
‘When the national anthem happened, I wasn’t someone who normally would sing. I put my hand over my heart, and I’d pray to the good man upstairs. I’m someone who’s bled for this country. I broke my nose playing for this country. I’ve come back from two heart procedures and played for this country.’
Then Dempsey questioned Marsch’s loyalty as an American citizen coaching one of his country’s biggest rivals.
‘I’m not going to take advice from someone who switched to the other side and is singing another country’s national anthem,’ Dempsey added. ‘And as my boy [Henry] would say, stay in your own lane. It looks like he’s in a dang moped, so worry about your own team.’
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also in attendance for the first round of 32 World Cup game
Marsch said American players didn’t sing their anthem prior to games during the 2010 World Cup. Here those players are seen with their hands on their hearts during the anthem
Henry also took issue with Marsch, whom he criticized for portraying his team as an underdog.
Team Canada currently boasts Bayern Munich star left-back Alphonso Davies and Juventus forward Jonathan David, although Marsch’s record with Les Rouges is just 12-12-5 since taking the job in 2024.
And because of Canada’s rising profile in international soccer, Henry is tired of what he views as false modesty. Instead, the legendary Frenchman told the Fox panel, Marsch should get used to facing expectations.
‘You got to walk the walk and talk the talk. You can’t hide behind the fact that you are a decent team,’ Henry said before Canada’s draw. ‘You took a job, by the way, 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].’