Clint Dempsey has hit back at Jesse Marsch after the Canada boss claimed he had to ‘beg’ US players to sing the national anthem.
Marsch, 52, is guiding host nation Canada at the 2026 World Cup after being overlooked for the USMNT job ahead of Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment.
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There appears to be very little love lost between the Canada manager and the national team he used to represent.
Marsch represented the USMNT not just as a player but also as an assistant under Bob Bradley, and he recently claimed he would have to ‘beg’ players to sign the national anthem.
Speaking on Fox Sport’s coverage of Canada’s opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dempsey didn’t hold back in his response.
Dempsey responded: “He really said that? Man, I can’t take this guy too seriously.
“It was an honor for me growing up to represent my country. And when the national anthem happened, I wasn’t someone who normally would sing. I’d put my hand over my heart and I’d pray to the good man upstairs.
“I’m someone who’s bled for this country. I broke my nose playing for this country. I’ve come back from two heart procedures to play for this country.
“I’m nbot going to take advice from someone who switched to the other side and is sitting singing someone else’s national anthem.
“As my boy Titi (Thierry Henry) would say, stay in your own lane. It looks like he’s in a dang moped, so worry about your own team.”
