Jesse Marsch may have been born in America, but it’s very clear where the heart of the Canadian men’s national soccer team’s coach truly lies.
Ahead of a friendly soccer matchup between the U.S. and Canada on Tuesday night, Marsch spoke out about a controversial moment involving U.S. President Donald Trump during this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
During the knockout stages, U.S. striker Folarin Balogun received a red card for a harsh foul and had been set to miss the Round of 16 matchup against Belgium.
However, Trump stepped in and implored FIFA to rescind the suspension — an unheard-of move in international soccer.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has close ties to Trump, obliged the request and suspended Balogun’s ban for a year, freeing up the striker to play in the Belgium match while drawing outrage from all corners of the globe.
During an interview with The Guardian, Marsch detailed his thoughts about the controversy and how Americans in general are seen around the world.
‘This is why everyone around the world hates America’
“Well, this is a deep conversation. We, as Americans, have been inundated with propaganda since we were young. ‘We’re the No. 1 country in the world, we deserve everything, we dominate everything, No. 1 in every aspect of life.’ This is what we’ve been told,” Marsch told the outlet.
“So, when things happen and we don’t feel like we’re in control of it … we feel like we deserve to be treated differently because we’re Americans. That is one of the things that infuriates the rest of the world about Americans. And Americans don’t know that if they don’t ever leave the country.
“So, what I feel when the Balogun ruling happens is that would never happen in any other country in the world and this is why everyone around the world hates America.
“That was proven to be so. The U.S. had a good World Cup, was doing well. All that switched in one moment. But do I think that that’s about corruption and unfairness? The problem is football is inundated with this kind of stuff.”
The red-card reversal ultimately didn’t have much impact on the pitch, either. Belgium easily defeated the U.S. 4-1 and Balogun had little impact on the game.
What did Marsch say about Canada’s relationship to Europe?
Marsch also waded into the discussion over Canada’s ongoing trade war with the U.S. and recent talk over potentially joining the European Union.
The coach, who resides in Europe, said that a cross-Atlantic partnership could feel “right.”
“I’ve always thought Canada was a little bit more European than the U.S. anyway. Right?” Marsch told the outlet. “But certainly now there’s enough happening politically and economically that you would say, we’re looking much more like that. There’s talk of (Canada becoming an associate EU member) even actually happening. I like that aspect.
“There’s a uniqueness to Canada in terms of how truly multiethnic this country has become. You can see that Canada is not just a North American country anymore, you know? That bodes well for our sport and for the makeup of our team, the makeup of our fans.”
Which U.S. President did Marsch compare Mark Carney to?
Marsch also spoke highly of the Canadian Prime Minister, comparing him to one of the six U.S. Presidents that he has met throughout his life.
“My impression is that first of all, he is a really smart guy, but a really normal guy,” Marsch said of Carney. “Sometimes you meet a U.S. president and you’re overwhelmed, maybe by their presence, the position itself.
“I’ve met (Bill) Clinton, George Bush Sr., (Barack) Obama, Trump, (Joe) Biden… and (Jimmy) Carter. Six in person.
“Carney, compared to all of them, the closest would be Obama. A real air of intelligence, but a real air of being a regular guy.
“I think that that’s perfect for this country and this moment.”