Canadian soccer coach Marsch tells Trump to ‘lay off ridiculous rhetoric’ of Canada as 51st state
Canada soccer coach Jesse Marsch made headlines on Wednesday when he addressed United States President Donald Trump’s controversial comments about Canada potentially becoming the 51st state. The 51-year-old former U.S. international, who hails from Racine, Wisc., spoke out against the rhetoric at a CONCACAF news conference held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., ahead of the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League Finals featuring Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Panama.
Marsch was prompted to comment on the political tensions between the two countries following the recent Four Nations Face-Off hockey final between Canada and the U.S. As an American coaching the Canadian men’s team, he expressed his disappointment in the strained relationship between the nations. Marsch emphasized the importance of respecting Canada as a strong, independent nation with values rooted in decency, ethics, and respect – qualities he believes are lacking in the current political climate of the U.S.
The Canada men’s soccer team, currently ranked 31st in the world, is set to face off against Mexico in the semifinals on March 20, while the U.S. will take on Panama. Marsch highlighted the significance of international tournaments for Canada and the team’s dedication to representing their country with pride and unity. He commended the players for embodying values of fairness, diversity, and camaraderie, noting that many of them come from diverse cultural backgrounds but are united in their love for Canada and the sport.
In his role as head coach, Marsch expressed his deep admiration for the Canadian team and the country as a whole, stating that he has found a place that upholds principles of integrity, respect, and unity. He emphasized the importance of good people coming together to achieve great things, both on and off the pitch. Marsch concluded by expressing his pride in coaching Canada and the team’s unwavering commitment to representing their nation with honor and passion.
When asked for his response, Oguchi Onyewu, U.S. Soccer’s vice-president of sporting, focused on promoting the upcoming Nations League competition and the fierce competition among the four participating teams. He reiterated the U.S.’s determination to defend their title and acknowledged the quality of the player pool in all four teams.
Overall, Marsch’s poignant remarks shed light on the importance of mutual respect and unity between nations, emphasizing the power of sports to bridge divides and foster a sense of camaraderie. His words serve as a reminder of the values that should guide international relations and interactions, both on and off the field.
