Head coach Jesse Marsch of Canada slammed Donald Trump and the state of American discourse in his remarks to the media on Wednesday. Marsch, a Wisconsin native who played Major League Soccer for 13 years before becoming a coach, stated, “If I have one message to our president, it’s to lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state.” Marsch was born and raised in Wisconsin. “As an American, I’m ashamed of the arrogance and disregard that we’ve shown one of our historically oldest, strongest, and most loyal allies.”
Marsch was speaking to the media in Los Angeles. He was there along with other representatives of the four nations that will be competing in the Concacaf Nations League finals, which will take place at SoFi Stadium at the end of the month. Canada will play Mexico in one semi-final on 20 March with the US and Panama playing each other on the same day, raising the possibility that the two nations will play each other in either the Nations League final or third-place game on 23 March.
Trump has repeatedly antagonized Canada in comments and through official policy proposals like tariffs during his second term. He has stated on multiple occasions that Canada could become “the 51st state” of the United States and has proposed tariffs that experts predict would ignite a trade war between the United States and Canada. Trump’s remarks have already sparked a reaction from the sports industry.
At NHL and NBA games in Canada, the US national anthem was repeatedly booed, and the nations’ meeting at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off became an overtly political spectacle. In the final of that tournament, the Canadian national anthem singer changed the song’s lyrics in a direct rebuke to Trump, before Canada set off wild celebrations with a victory.
Marsch, the former head coach of Leeds United, RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg, and the New York Red Bulls, stated on Wednesday that, in light of the current political climate, international competitions like the Nations League “mean something different now.”
Additionally, he stated that he finds the 51st state’s discourse “unsettling and frankly insulting.” In contrast to the polarized, disrespectful, and frequently now, hate-fueled climate in the United States, Canada is a strong, independent nation that is deeply rooted in decency. It is also a place that values high ethics and respect,” Marsch stated. “The fact that they exemplify this as individuals and as a team is one of the things that I’ve enjoyed the most about our team.
As a result, right now I couldn’t be more proud to be the coach of the Canadian national team. I found a place that embodies, for me, the ideals and morals of what not just football and a team is, but what life is, and that’s integrity, respect, and the belief that good people can do great things together.”
Canada, which appeared in its first men’s World Cup in 36 years in 2022, hired Marsch in 2024 and has continued to thrive. In a friendly match in September of that year, the team defeated the United States 2-1 to claim third place at the 2024 Copa América. A win against Mexico at the Nations League finals would stretch the team’s unbeaten run to six games since the Copa América.
One thing’s for sure, when I look forward to a month from now … I know this will fuel our team, the mentality we have, the will we have to play for our country, the desire we have to go after this tournament in every way and show on and off the pitch exactly what Canadian character is,” Marsch said.
Pochettino, the head coach of the US men’s national team, was replaced at the event by Oguchi Onyewu, a current US Soccer President of Sporting and former USMNT defender. Pochettino did not attend the event. Onyewu stated, when asked to respond to Marsch’s remarks, “We’re all here to promote the Concacaf Nations League, and all of my comments are to promote the Concacaf Nations League, SoFi Stadium, and the strong competition that we have on this panel right now.”