Jesse Marsch Turned Canada Into a Threat to the USA

Who would've thought Canada would become a thorn in the side of the U.S. soccer team? And guess what? It’s all under the leadership of a former American coach, Jesse Marsch. Oh, the irony! Marsch, who was this close to managing the U.S. team, is now rocking the red and white, dead set on making Canada a real CONCACAF powerhouse. And let me tell you, he's doing it.

For years, the rivalry between Canada and the U.S. felt more like a rigged game where the southern neighbor always had the winning hand. Canada just couldn’t beat the U.S. for over 30 years. It was like watching the same movie every Christmas—you already knew the ending. But things started shifting in 2019 when Canada finally took down the U.S. in the CONCACAF Nations League.

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That win kicked off a new chapter for the Canadian team, which had already been gaining steam. Their rise became even more apparent during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Not only did they compete, but they led the CONCACAF pack, leaving the U.S. and Mexico trailing behind. Under John Herdman, Canada went from being the friendly underdog to one of the top contenders in the region.

Now, how’s the U.S. gonna handle this new reality? And more importantly, how do they feel knowing that Canada’s rise is being led by a coach they basically rejected? Let's not forget, Marsch was super close to getting the U.S. Men’s National Team job, but at the last minute, the American federation decided to stick with Gregg Berhalter. Marsch didn’t take it well. He openly said he felt disrespected and that until the U.S. organization got its act together, he had no interest in coming back.

Marsch didn’t just lead Canada to the Copa América semifinals, he also watched the U.S. crash out in the group stage. And, as if to twist the knife, Berhalter got the boot, while Marsch is still building a solid squad up north. If that’s not irony, I don’t know what is.

But here’s what makes it all the more interesting—Marsch isn’t just focused on quick wins. He’s in it for the long haul, eyes locked on the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America. He knows Canada doesn’t have the sheer number of players that the U.S. does, but what they lack in quantity, they’re making up for in quality. Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, and a bunch of other young Canadian stars are being prepped to shine in 2026.

And MLS is playing a huge role in all of this. Like it or not, the American league has become a key factor in developing talent, and Marsch is fully aware of that. Over half of Canada’s squad plays in MLS, and a lot of them cut their teeth there before making the jump to European clubs. What Marsch is doing is simple: he’s using his deep knowledge of the league to squeeze the best out of every player, knowing exactly how to get them ready for tougher, more experienced opponents.

And you know what? It’s working. In their last friendly against the U.S., we didn’t see a Canada that was happy just to play the underdog. They hit the field, won the match, and didn’t celebrate like it was some sort of once-in-a-lifetime thing. They know there’s still a lot of work ahead, but unlike before, they now have the confidence of a team that belongs at the top.

Let’s be real, that’s gotta be keeping the U.S. team up at night. The USMNT has always been seen as the big dog in CONCACAF, with Mexico right up there. Now, Canada isn’t just in the race—they’re showing they can take over. Marsch, who has always shown a lot of respect for both U.S. and Mexican players, now sees it as his mission to prove that Canada deserves its spot among the giants of the continent.

Marsch isn’t the kind of coach who just yells from the sidelines, hoping the team gets the message. He’s building a culture, instilling a big-team mentality. When he talks about respecting opponents, it’s not just lip service. He knows rivalry matters, but he also understands that respect for the game and the players is what makes champions. He learned that during his time at Chivas USA and from his experiences in Europe. And now, he’s bringing that vision to Canadian soccer.

So, how’s the U.S. gonna respond? Can they turn the tide that seems to be shifting more and more in Canada’s favor? Or are we about to watch Marsch’s team solidify their position as the new kings of CONCACAF? If you love a good rivalry and haven’t been paying attention to what Jesse Marsch is doing with Canada, now’s the time to wake up and take notice.