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Clint Dempsey, nan US men’s nationalist team’s associated all-time starring scorer, has fired backmost astatine Jesse Marsch aft nan Canada coach suggested that American players had to beryllium begged to singing nan Star-Spangled Banner.
Speaking to reporters this week earlier Canada’s World Cup opener – a 1-1 draw pinch Bosnia and Herzegovina connected Friday successful Toronto – Marsch was praising nan pridefulness of his ain squad erstwhile he drew a comparison pinch US players. Marsch was an adjunct for nan USMNT from 2010 to 2011, including astatine nan World Cup successful South Africa, and became nan first American to negociate Canada erstwhile he was appointed 2 years ago.
“In nan US sometimes we had to request players to singing nan nationalist anthem,” Marsch said connected Thursday. “These guys loop it retired to nan apical of their lungs because they want to show nan state really proud they are to beryllium here, to beryllium Canadians and to correspond what Canada is.”
Dempsey, who is astatine nan World Cup arsenic an expert for Fox Sports, had prime words successful response.
“He really said that?” Dempsey said successful a pregame show earlier Canada’s match. “Man, I can’t return this feline excessively seriously. It was an grant for maine increasing up and correspond my country. When nan nationalist anthem happened, I wasn’t personification who usually would sing. I put my manus complete my heart, and I’d believe to nan bully man upstairs. I’m personification who’s bled for this country. I collapsed my chemoreceptor playing for this country. I’ve travel backmost from 2 bosom procedures and played for this country.
“I’m not going to return proposal from personification who switched to nan different broadside and is singing different country’s nationalist anthem. And arsenic my boy [Thierry Henry] would say, enactment successful your ain lane. It looks for illustration he’s successful a dang moped, truthful interest astir your ain team.”
When Gregg Berhalter’s statement arsenic USMNT coach expired aft nan 2022 World Cup, Marsch was considered a frontrunner for nan occupation pursuing his exit from Leeds United. Instead, nan US Soccer Federation hired Berhalter again. Marsch, who besides made 2 appearances for nan US arsenic a player, has said he “wasn’t treated very well” by US Soccer during its head search.
Dempsey played for nan US astatine nan 2010 World Cup, erstwhile Marsch was an adjunct connected Bob Bradley’s staff. He is tied pinch Landon Donovan atop nan USMNT’s all-time goals database pinch 57.
The US opened their World Cup against Paraguay successful Los Angeles connected Friday. Canada will look Qatar successful their 2nd crippled connected 18 June.
