Jesse Marsch said he wasn't bitter about being passed over to coach the U.S. men's national team and would “rather” be coaching Canada right now after leading the Canadians to a historic 2-1 win over the USMNT in Kansas City on Saturday.
Canada hired Marsch as coach in May and finished fourth at the Copa America. He had interviewed for 2023 with the U.S. Soccer Federation before Gregg Berhalter was rehired in June.
Shortly after his appointment as Canada's coach, Marsch said he was “not treated very well in the process” by the U.S. Soccer Federation during an interview with CBS's “Call it What You Want” podcast.
“I'm not bitter,” Marsch told reporters after Canada beat the U.S. national team on American soil for the first time in 67 years. “Most people, if they ask me a question, I answer it. That's how I operate in the media.”
Berhalter was fired as U.S. coach following the team's group stage exit at the Copa America. While ESPN reported that Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to take charge of the U.S. national team and an announcement is expected imminently, Berhalter's former assistant, Mikey Varas, was in interim charge against Canada.
“I'd rather coach Canada than the United States right now,” Marsch said. “You can see the mentality that has developed. You can see the way this team plays. You can see how much they love playing for the national team and are willing to risk their careers, their lives and their way of playing to be the best they can be for each other and for the team.
“I wouldn't change the fact that I'm coaching this team right now for anything in the world”
Jacob Shaffelburg gave Canada the lead in the friendly at Children's Mercy Park during a dominant first-half performance. Jonathan David added a second goal in the 58th minute to secure Canada its second away win against the United States, despite Luca de la Torre pulling one back for the host.
“Of course I enjoyed it,” Marsch said. “I was sure we would play well. I wasn't sure we would win, but I was sure we would play well.”
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
