USMNT great Clint Dempsey slams Canada coach Jesse Marsch over national anthem accusations
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Former U.S. men's national team player Clint Dempsey took exception to Canada manager Jesse Marsch's comments that implied past American players were reluctant to sing the national anthem.
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Informed of Marsch's aside during his pre-match news conference in which the Canada manager said, "in the U.S. sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem," Dempsey said his own pre-match routine included saying a prayer but not singing the anthem.
"He really said that? Man, I can’t take this guy too seriously," Dempsey said on Fox's pre-match coverage. "It was an honor for me growing up to represent my country. 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 has bled for this county, I broke my nose playing for this country, I’ve come back from two heart procedures and played for this country, so I’m not going to take advice from someone who switched to the other side singing another country’s national anthem."
What were Jesse Marsch's full comments about the national anthem?
He made the statement while underlining the point that despite his Canada team having players from different birthplaces and backgrounds, the team is still proud to be Canadian.
Marsch, a Wisconsin native, served as an assistant for U.S. manager Bob Bradley during the 2010 World Cup and also played for the U.S. on two occasions.
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"Every one of these boys is incredibly Canadian, and the pride they have in putting on the jersey, representing the country, hearing the national anthem … in the U.S. sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem," he said. "We have never ... these guys sing the national anthem, belt it out to the top of their lungs because they want to show the country how proud they are to be here, to be Canadians and to represent what Canada is.
"I think they’re the best resource. I think they’re the best representation. They’re impeccable in their character, they’re impeccable in their work ethic and their commitment to each other. That’s what we want to show, man. That’s what we want to show against Bosnia, that’s what we want to show the country at this moment in time and at this tournament."
Marsch's Canada team started the World Cup against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, June 12 in Toronto.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clint Dempsey to Jesse Marsch after anthem comments: 'Stay in your own lane'