CanMNT coach Marsch urges Trump to drop 'ridiculous' talk of annexing Canada
Canadian men's national team coach Jesse Marsch implored U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday to end his "ridiculous" attempts to make Canada the country's 51st state, expressing regret as an American over the "hate-fueled" climate Trump has caused in his home nation.
Marsch launched an impassioned defense of Canada during a news conference promoting the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League semifinals. His comments come as Trump continues to threaten Canada with punitive 25% tariffs on exports on March 4. Trump said Canada would avoid tariffs and gain better military protection if it became the 51st U.S. state.
"For me, I couldn't be prouder to be the Canadian national team coach. I've found a place that embodies for me the ideals and morals of what not just football and a team is, but life is. That's integrity, respect, and the belief that good people can do great things together," Marsch, a Wisconsin native who made two appearances for the U.S. men's national team and served as an assistant coach from 2010-11, told reporters. "So, if I have one message to our president, it's lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state. 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 is the only American to coach Canada's men's team and has held the position since replacing John Herdman in May. He led the Canadians to the Copa America semifinals in his first major tournament as coach.
Marsch said he was approached by U.S. Soccer about the head coaching gig when Gregg Berhalter's contract expired in December 2022 but that he "wasn't treated very well in the process." U.S. Soccer ended up rehiring Berhalter before firing him in July as a result of the national team's group-stage elimination from the Copa America.
Former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino now leads the program.
The political landscape supercharged interest in the 4 Nations Face-Off final between Canada and the U.S. and could do the same if both countries advance to the Nations League final on March 23 in Los Angeles.
Canada faces Mexico in the semifinals, while the U.S takes on Panama.
Marsch said Trump's comments will drive his players to show what it means to be Canadian.
"Canada is a strong independent nation that's deep-rooted in decency. It's a place that values high ethics and respect, unlike the polarized, disrespectful, and often now hate-fueled climate that's in the U.S.," he added. "Canada values a lot of fairness and unity. It's a place that I've learned as the national team coach where people really believe that their differences make them stronger.
"Honestly, it's one of the things that I've enjoyed the most about our team, is that they exemplify this as human beings and as a team. They're almost all first- and second-generation Canadians coming from different heritage and cultures, but they uniquely are incredibly proud to be Canadian, to represent their country, to give everything to each other."