There is one CONCACAF representative still standing in the 2024 Copa America, but it’s neither of the region’s two traditional superpowers. While Mexico and the USA fell by the wayside in the group stage, Canada has made a run to the semi-finals. They play Argentina on Tuesday with a place in the tournament’s final up for grabs.
Canada’s success sticks in the throat of many USMNT supporters who have watched Jesse Marsch lead a rival nation to the final four of a major tournament while Gregg Berhalter looks set to be fired. This Copa America was meant to be a dry run ahead of the 2026 World Cup for Canada, Mexico and the USA, but only the former appear to have made good use of it.
In another world, Marsch would have been the USMNT’s head coach for this tournament. The former Leeds United and RB Leipzig boss was interviewed for the position last year only for US Soccer to rehire Berhalter. That decision has aged poorly considering recent events. But does Marsch’s success with Canada really prove he should have been appointed USMNT head coach?
The concern with Marsch as USA manager related to his playing style. The 50-year-old came through the Red Bull pipeline as a coach, managing the New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, and thus favours a high-energy, high-intensity approach that leans more towards Marcelo Bielsa than Pep Guardiola.
This is at odds with what Berhalter originally envisaged for the US men’s national team. He set out his plan early on to turn the USMNT into a possession-orientated outfit that would use its use of the ball to create opportunities and win matches. This is, after all, the style of play Berhalter had favoured at the Columbus Crew.
In reality, though, Berhalter has been more pragmatic than this. Over time, he realised the need to adapt to the international game and this resulted in the USMNT playing a game based on quick transitions and even counter attacks. The USA simply lacks the technical talent to play the way Berhalter originally planned.
Some still doubt the USMNT’s current squad would have been able to absorb Marsch’s ideas as quickly as Canada’s has, but the Red Bull style of play would be closer to the traditional approach of the USA than what Berhalter wanted. Culturally, Marsch’s style of play would have leaned into American soccer’s traditional emphasis on hard work.
“What I’ve always doubted in this business is, how do you find the right people to work with?,” said Marsch, reflecting on his decision to take over as Canada head coach earlier this year. “And so the best thing about where I’m at right now is that it feels like home to me. It feels like I’m working with a group of players that I think value the things that I bring.”
It should be noted that Canada have ground out results at this summer’s Copa America. Marsch’s team have technically won just one match at the tournament, losing to Argentina and drawing with Chile in the group stage before seeing off Venezuela in the quarter-finals in a penalty shootout. Their run hasn’t been the most emphatic.
Nonetheless, Marsch has quickly given Canada an identity as is delivering results, which is more than can be said for Berhalter as USMNT head coach. 12 months ago, Marsch was a candidate for the USA role. Now, he’s off the table which will make US Soccer’s job harder should they decide to fire Berhalter.
Some supporters have mentioned Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho as potential candidates to replace Berhalter, but neither are particularly realistic options. This is the one thing that could keep Berhalter in his job – who would be willing to take over with the pressure so high ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil?
Canada is also preparing for the 2026 World Cup on home soil and they are clearly in good shape with Marsch at the helm. The 50-year-old has publicly offered his opinions on the USMNT recently, but the door has closed on him taking over from Berhalter. Instead, he is making history for the USA’s neighbours to the north.
