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Jesse Marsch urged an end to Leeds’ recent FA Cup slump after being knocked out at the third round stage in each of the last five seasons… as their first cup test evokes memories bitter for the club.
- Leeds have been knocked out of the FA Cup at this stage in the last five seasons
- Jesse Marsch has been urged to correct the club’s recent record in the competition.
- Cardiff knocked out high-flying Leeds from the FA Cup 2-1 in a game marred by problems
- The American chief said he had found out about the game before this year’s trip.
Jesse Marsch has experienced many ups and downs in cup competitions but Sunday will be his first FA Cup test.
The American has heard all the stories from Leeds’ last FA Cup meeting with Cardiff, when the Welsh team won 2-1 to spark a pitch invasion amid ugly scenes between rival fans.
Leeds have been knocked out at the third round stage in each of the last five seasons and the Elland Road board have urged Marsch to end that shocking run.
A hostile atmosphere between the two groups of supporters marred the third round tie in 2002.
Memories of their stormy third round loss to Cardiff in 2002 still linger and Marsch said: “I was told Leeds were the best in the league, it was an ugly game with a lot of physical confrontations and in the end we lost, and that was a bitter loss.
‘Back in the United States as a player I lost [in a cup competition] to a pub league team with a goalie who was like 40 pounds overweight.
He saved my penalty so it was pretty terrible for me!
Jesse Marsch has said that he has heard about the game and understands how important it is to the 6,500 traveling fans.
“I was with Chivas USA and they were called Roma FC and maybe it was the quarterfinals or the round of 16, so they had done very well to get to that stage.
‘Literally, with every savior, his guardian made him fall to the ground and pray thank God.
“I think with the penalty, because he was such a big guy, he didn’t have to move that far to save it.
“And then on the other hand, I’ve won titles, so every time you get to lift a trophy, what a feeling that is, don’t forget it.”
Marsch revealed a story of his own cup heartbreak, recounting an anecdote of a missed penalty once.
“I have always been in teams and clubs that value cup competitions.”
Marsch managed Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig before landing in Leeds last February.
He added: ‘Winning the double in Salzburg was a big emphasis every year.
“Sometimes you played pub league teams in the first round and you always had to make sure you were ready for the tough times.
“We’ll have 6,500 fans in Cardiff so we understand how important this game is.”