Canada boss Marsch has no regrets over red card: I'd 'do it again'
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch admits he was deliberately spiky in the technical area during Sunday's 2-1 win over the United States in the Nations League third-place game.
With memories of his team being denied a first-half penalty against Mexico on Thursday still raw, Marsch twice protested to the officials for what he believed were fouls on Canada striker Jonathan David in the box. He was sent off in the 54th minute but says he has no regrets over his conduct.
"If I had to do it again, I would," Marsch told The Athletic's Joshua Kloke while reiterating that he and his team were "pissed off" after the apparent missed call in the defeat to Mexico.
Marsch added: "It's not like I went into the game thinking, 'OK, I'm going to get thrown out.' But I was definitely looking for opportunities to make a point, right?"
Marsch said he wished he appealed the first incident involving David more than the second. He was dismissed as he reacted to the second incident, one that David revealed post-match involved a slip rather than a foul.
The Canada boss was keen for video review to be used during penalty calls after the pitchside monitor wasn't consulted when Derek Cornelius was kicked by Mexico's Edson Alvarez as they fought for the ball in Thursday's Nations League semifinal. Marsch also got the impression Sunday that the officials were now prepared to use VAR more readily.
"The fourth official said to me when I was starting to escalate, 'No, we all reviewed what happened to you against Mexico and we're aware of it and we're going to look at this carefully.' And so I was like, 'OK, they're going to at least go to VAR,' and then they don't go to VAR," Marsch said.
"And then honestly, I was cursing myself. I should have freaking run over there, I should have forced a reaction."
Marsch, who took over the men's team last May, believes Canada has been on the end of many harsh decisions in CONCACAF tournaments over the years and wants to see a change in future matches. Canada takes on Ukraine and Ivory Coast in June friendlies before competing at CONCACAF's Gold Cup.
"You know what even makes me even more frustrated and happy that I did it? Did you see Panama's penalty (during the final against Mexico)? Ours against Mexico is worse for me, right? I think it was necessary," Marsch reasoned.
"(Canada) have been through this, more than I have. So again, I'm learning what it is to be the Canadian national team coach, and certainly in this CONCACAF setting, they feel like they're getting the short end of the stick again. I get it."