Overview

• Jesse Marsch, head coach of Canada’s men’s soccer team, denounced U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated comments about Canada becoming the 51st state, calling them arrogant and insulting.
• Marsch, an American, expressed pride in coaching Canada and highlighted the country’s values of decency, fairness, and unity, contrasting them with what he described as a polarized and hate-fueled climate in the U.S.
• The comments were made during a press conference ahead of the Concacaf Nations League Finals, where Canada will face Mexico on March 20, with a potential matchup against the U.S. in the final on March 23.
• Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have spilled into the sports world recently, with Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem and political undertones emerging in international competitions.
• Marsch emphasized that the political climate has added new meaning to international tournaments, and he vowed that the Canadian team would demonstrate their character both on and off the field.