Canada seek Concacaf statement in USMNT rivalry test

Jesse Marsch paused. He chuckled. Then, on Monday, the 52-year-old answered the question that hung over the day: "I'm American."

He did not stop there. Marsch, who grew up in Wisconsin, described his friendships with Canadians and what he called "a bit of a Canadian mentality" from his roots. He has taken on the Canada job, he said, as "something that I take very seriously."

"Do I cross the line sometimes? Yeah, probably. But so what? If the team is ready to play, we'll all be happy — and they're ready."

It is a careful answer from a coach who measures his words. Marsch will leave this Canada camp and return to Tuscany, Italy, to tend to his vineyards and his farming career. He is as deliberate with his language as he is with the grapes.

His team is ready. Canada arrive at Allianz Field on Tuesday night at 8 pm ET after two clean-sheet wins over Chile and Peru this fall. Marsch has spent the build-up juggling two identities — the American passport and the Canadian flag on his chest — and he knows which one will matter when the whistle blows.

RIVALRY AT ITS PEAK

Marsch does not have to say much anymore about this one. “The rivalry is better than it’s ever been, because the two teams are good,” he said ahead of Tuesday’s contest.

The former Red Bull New York and CF Montréal coach would rather beat few teams than the USMNT, regardless of the competition. That much is clear in how he talks about the matchup, even when he is trying to keep his answers measured.

The feeling is mutual in Canada’s camp. Dayne St. Clair, now at Inter Miami, is set to play at his old home, Allianz Field, where he won the 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award with Minnesota United. He knows what a win would change.

“If we want to step into those moments and have that respect, you need to beat them sometimes,” St. Clair said.