Having guided Canada to the Copa America semifinals, coach Jesse Marsch emphasized that he has nothing to prove despite his previous dismissal from Leeds United and being passed over by the U.S. Soccer Federation. In a news conference ahead of Tuesday’s match against Argentina, Marsch spoke candidly about his current position and his journey.
“I felt how strongly they wanted me here, and I’m at a point in my life where I don’t need all the other bull—-,” Marsch said, smiling as the press conference was being translated simultaneously. “I don’t know how you say that in Spanish, OK?” he added with a grin.
Marsch took over Leeds United in February 2022, succeeding Marcelo Bielsa when the team was two points above the relegation zone. He managed to lead them to a 17th-place finish, narrowly avoiding relegation. However, he was fired a year later with the team still in 17th place, and Leeds eventually finished 19th, resulting in relegation to the Championship.
After interviewing with the U.S. Soccer Federation last year, Marsch was overlooked in favor of Gregg Berhalter. However, Canada appointed the 50-year-old as their national team coach in May. While Canada advanced in their first Copa America appearance, the host U.S. was eliminated in the group stage.
“I never doubted my ability as a coach,” Marsch stated. “What I’ve always doubted in this business is how do you find the right people to work with? The best thing about where I’m at right now is it feels like home. It feels like I’m working with a group of players that value what I bring, and I value what they’re about.”
Under former coach John Herdman, Canada qualified for the 2022 World Cup for the first time since 1986, though they went 0-3 in Qatar. Herdman left in August to coach Toronto FC in Major League Soccer, citing a lack of financial support and resources from the Canada Soccer Association (CSA).
Marsch was hired after Peter Augruso replaced Charmaine Crooks as CSA president. “I think the Canadian Soccer Association is a humble but professional organization and the new leadership is fantastic,” Marsch said. “The people in the country have been 100% behind us in what we’re doing with this team. It’s the reason I came. I felt how strongly they wanted me here.”
Marsch’s tenure began with two friendlies in Europe, a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands and a 0-0 draw with France. Canada opened their Copa America campaign with a 2-0 loss to defending champions Argentina, followed by a historic 1-0 win over Peru—marking their first victory over a South American team in 24 years—and a 0-0 draw with Chile to advance to the knockout stages. Canada then triumphed over Venezuela in the quarterfinals, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 tie.
“I want to do things I love,” Marsch said. “I want to get back to loving the game that I love, and this team has helped me find that, and I’m very thankful for that.”
A standout college player at Princeton, Marsch made two appearances for the U.S. national team and served as an assistant to Bob Bradley from 2010 to 2011. His coaching journey has now brought him to a pivotal moment with the Canadian national team, where he hopes to continue his success and inspire further achievements.
