Clint Dempsey rebukes Jesse Marsch over anthem claim before Canada draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina | OneFootball

Clint Dempsey has hit back at former Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch after the American said he had to beg USA players to sing the national anthem.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Marsch made the remarks before leading Canada into their 2026 World Cup opener against Bosnia & Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium, a match that finished 1-1 on Friday.

Marsch said that in the US he sometimes had to plead with players to sing, contrasting that with his Canada squad, whom he praised for singing loudly to show pride in representing the country.

Dempsey, the USA’s all-time leading scorer, rejected the claim. He said he rarely sang, instead placing a hand over his heart and praying, and pointed to his commitment through a broken nose and two heart procedures. He added that he would not take advice from someone now singing another country’s anthem, telling Marsch to stay in his own lane.

Marsch’s relationship with the US national team has been strained after he was overlooked for the head coach role following Gregg Berhalter’s 2022 exit, a decision he has discussed publicly on several occasions.

Canada opened with a point, while the USA beat Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles. Leeds midfielder Brenden Aaronson was an unused substitute as former Elland Road teammate Weston McKennie impressed.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk