Clint Dempsey hits back at Jesse Marsch over anthem claim | OneFootball

Clint Dempsey has hit back at Jesse Marsch after the former Leeds United boss questioned USA players’ commitment to singing the national anthem.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Marsch made the claim before leading Canada into their opening 2026 World Cup match against Bosnia & Herzegovina, which finished 1-1. He said: 'In the US, sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem'.

He contrasted that with Canada, saying his players belt out the anthem to show pride. Marsch was on the USA coaching staff at the 2010 World Cup, when Clint Dempsey was in the squad.

Dempsey said: 'He really said that? Man, I can't take this guy too seriously'. He said it was an honour to represent his country and that he rarely sang, placing a hand on his heart to pray.

'I'm someone who's bled for this country,' he said. 'I'm not going to take advice from someone who switched to the other side and singing another country's national anthem. And as my boy Titi [Thierry Henry] would say, stay in your own lane.'

Marsch’s relationship with the USA set-up has been tense after he was passed over for the head coach job following Gregg Berhalter’s 2022 exit. The USA beat Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles, with Leeds midfielder Brenden Aaronson on the bench as former Elland Road team-mate Weston McKennie impressed.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk