Canada coach Jesse Marsh has expressed his disappointment with the US national team’s poor performance at the Copa América as his team prepares for its quarter-final against Venezuela on Friday.
The 50-year-old American coach led Canada to the last eight with a 1-0 win over Peru, finishing second in Group A behind defending champions Argentina. The US, however, failed to progress beyond the group stage after a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay.
“I would like to say I’m just focused on what we’re doing here in Canada, but obviously I’m also paying attention to the U.S. men’s national team, as I always do, and like you, I’m sad,” the coach said Thursday.
“I’m disappointed with the performance, the lack of discipline. There are a lot of things I think we’ve tried to embody about the game in the US, and we’ve always believed in this group of players.”
The former Leeds United manager added that Gregg Berhalter’s team must find solutions to their problems.
“I’m not there every day so I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but it’s certainly not what we expected when we went into this tournament,” said Marsch.
When Berhalter’s contract as USMNT coach expired after the 2022 World Cup, Marsch was seen as the favorite to take the job after his departure from Leeds. Instead, US Soccer returned Berhalter. During the Concacaf Nations League in March, Marsch worked as a TV analyst for CBS and the couple exchanged shots on Berhalter’s approach to Gio Reyna. In a final appearance on his podcast, Marsch said he was “not treated very well” by US Soccer during the hunt for a manager without further explanation.
“You know, US Soccer had the opportunity to take me,” Marsh told the Guardian in May. “They have no one to look to but themselves, especially when that’s the question they’re asking. At the end of the day, I have the freedom in my life to do what’s best for me and myself.”
Pressure is mounting on US Soccer to replace Berhalter after a poor tournament performance. Earlier on Thursday, the USMNT’s largest fan base called for Berhalter’s resignation.
“There needs to be accountability and a plan in place to move the USMNT forward,” the American Outlaws wrote in a statement. “It is time to make a change at the head coaching position. Our Copa América was over too soon. It was a moment to show progress for the aspirations of the USMNT, create thousands of new fans for life, and build energy in communities across the country.”
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Berhalter has led the team to seven wins, six losses and one draw since his return in September, including a 5–1 victory over Colombia in a Copa América friendly.
“We have heard from our members and chapter leaders that the USMNT needs change,” the Outlaws said. “Change is necessary to prepare for a home World Cup.”
After missing out on the U.S. national team job, Marsch was hired by Canada in May. He led the team to the quarterfinals of their first Copa América. They hope to advance to the semifinals on Friday if they beat Venezuela. Venezuela finished first in Group B after winning all three games.