US Coaches Who Coach Other Countries' National Football (Soccer) Teams

Like millions of others in the United States, I have been following the World Cup closely. This afternoon, I caught the tail end of Morocco's 3-0 victory over co-host Canada.  For some reason, I decided to continue watching after the Fox network interviewed Jesse Marsch, the American who coaches the Canadian national team. Rob Stone led commentary with Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and Alexi Lalas (for some reason, this guy is always invited to these things). I was hesitant because during the first week of the tournament, Donovan had criticized the French "arrogance" in their play during their opening round match against Senegal, and Lalas alluded to it later in the broadcast. Zlatan Ibrahimovic responded to both Donovan's and Lalas's assertions in his own unique style. 

During the interview with Marsch following the game, he stated, "What a privilege our fans (Canadians) have had to root a team on like this; that goes after the game, that doesn't play defensive; that shows that they can be better. Right? Of course, we have to be in these situations more and more, and then we have to find ways to succeed, and then we have to build from that. But what a great team. I'd rather be us than them. As good as Morocco is, I'd rather be us.  Right? Like, I'm really proud of our guys."

The interviewer ended the conversation by saying, "Jesse, Canada thanks you," and Jesse Marsch responded by saying, "I thank Canada". Nothing wrong here. All I see here is a coach who is extremely proud of his players, who has become a part of Canadian culture and embraces it. At no point did he say anything to disparage the United States. 

In the leadin to the analysis, Rob Stone commented that "And Jesse was awfully proud of his Canadian team after that round of 32 victory (he meant "loss"). Donovan had a problem with this issue asking "Did he just say say he preferred to be with Canada than Morocco? I would rather still be in Toronto." While he said this, Stone clarified that Marsch is not the coach of Morocco. But Donovan tainted the good feeling that Marsch had toward his Canadian players. Donovan is simply reiterating the silent American ethos of "win at all costs". 

Alexi Lalas added this: "I would rather be the team that won and is going on. I get the Romantic notion that Jesse's talking about, bur Morocco is going on and Canada is going home." "Romanticism does not win games," Lalas quipped. But there is more to life than winning, which neither he nor Donovan seem to understand. He displayed his usual Trumpian disdain for anything that is not fawning toward the United States. 

Why the disdain bordering on contempt for Marsch? After all, other Americans have coached the national teams of other countries: Bob Bradley (Egypt), and Steve Sampson (Costa Rica). I think it is the current climate that we are living in; where anyone who accepts a job in another country is somehow viewed as being "less" American. How sad. Hopefully, things will improve soon. Until then, Jesse Marsch is serving as a wonderful ambassador for our country.