Clint Dempsey Fires Back at Jesse Marsch Over USMNT National Anthem Remarks

Ahead of the USMNT and Canada's World Cup opener today, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch made a controversial comment concerning the USMNT.

Marsch is American and was an assistant coach for the USMNT under Bob Bradley in the 2010 World Cup. During a press conference ahead of Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marsch commented on American players not willing to sing their national anthem in the past.

Marsch said, "In the U.S., we had to beg players to sing the national anthem." Marsch was seen singing the Canadian national anthem before the Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina match.

USMNT legend Clint Dempsey was asked about Jesse Marsch's comments, and the former striker would fire back, suggesting he doesn't take his comments seriously.

Clint Dempsey on Jesse Marsch's Comments

Clint Dempsey was part of the 2010 USMNT World Cup roster and was coached by Jesse Marsch, who was the assistant coach to Bob Bradley, the head coach.

Dempsey did not care about giving his real thoughts about Marsch and dismissed the claim that he and other USMNT players refused to sing the American national anthem in the past.

Dempsey said, "I can't take this guy too seriously. It was an honor for me growing up and representing my country. When the national anthem happened, I wasn't someone who would normally sing. I put my hand over my heart and prayed to the good man upstairs. I'm someone who's bled for this country. 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 gonna take advice from someone who switched to the other side and singing another country's national anthem."

"I can't take that guy too seriously."@clint_dempsey responds to Jesse Marsch's recent comments about his time with the USMNT pic.twitter.com/x4JvlDHRkh

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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 11:36 PM.