'I don’t give a sh*t!' Jesse Marsch defends on-pitch heroes speech

Jesse Marsch delivered a defiant response to critics after Canada secured their first-ever World Cup knockout win, gathering his players in a tight circle following Stephen Eustaquio’s stoppage-time winner and calling them "Canadian heroes." Asked about the optics of such a public huddle, Marsch said: "Look, people like to say it’s performative to meet on the pitch.

I don’t give a sh*t what people have to say." He argued the team needed that moment because media attention pulls players away and leaders should be given the chance to speak about what the win means for the sport in the country. Marsch, who sung the national anthem before kick-off and previously worked as a USMNT assistant, said he feels a deep connection to the squad and to Canadian values.

"I am American and I'm proud to be American but I do think that the ideals and the characteristics of Canadian people fit me really well... But again, I don't give a sh*t," he added.

Canada

jesse marsch, canada, world cup, stephen eustaquio, stoppage time, knockout win, canadian heroes, national anthem, usmnt, pitch huddle