U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter has said Jesse Marsch’s hiring is “great for Canada,” adding that he is looking forward to competing against his fellow American coach.
Marsch was named Canada men’s national team head coach last week, taking charge just a month before the Copa América kicks off.
Marsch and Berhalter have cultivated a growing personal rivalry over the past year, which began with the former losing out to the latter in the running for the USMNT coaching job.
Marsch said last week that he “wasn’t treated very well” in the process of interviewing for that position, which eventually ended with Berhalter being re-hired.
Since then, Marsch didn’t hesitate to criticize Berhalter during his work as a pundit, particularly when he questioned the inclusion of Tyler Adams on the Nations League roster, called for exiled defender John Brooks to be given a major role on the USMNT, and said the USMNT lacks a signature win under Berhalter.
Marsch also questioned Gio Reyna’s inclusion on the Nations League roster — which prompted a thinly veiled riposte from Berhalter after Reyna starred in the semifinal against Jamaica.
On a call with reporters on Monday, Berhalter was given the opportunity to address Marsch’s hiring.
Unsurprisingly, he took the high road.
“In terms of Jesse, I think it’s great for Canada,” Berhalter said. “Jesse is a good coach. We’re excited to get to compete against them.
“We want all the teams in our region to keep progressing and keep getting better and keep improving. And we’re looking forward to seeing them and how they perform.”
It’s currently unclear when the first meeting between Marsch and Berhalter will be. If the USMNT and Canada were to meet in the Copa América, it would have to be in the final.
[lawrence-related id=55417,72578,70932]