Clint Dempsey Appears to Shade Canada's Jesse Marsch in Photo Over USMNT National Anthem Remark

Former United States Men's National Team player Clint Dempsey wants everyone to know it was an honor to represent his country during his playing career.

Everyone, including Jesse Marsch.

Dempsey took to social media Saturday and posted a picture of himself putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem:

The post was notable given his recent comments about Marsch, who was an assistant coach for the Americans in 2010-11 and is now the head coach of Canada. As ESPN detailed, Marsch turned heads when he compared the passion from his Canadian team to that of the Americans and said, "In the U.S., sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem."

Dempsey, who is part of Fox's coverage for the 2026 World Cup, had quite the response.

"He really said that?" Dempsey said Friday. "Man, I can't take this guy too seriously. It was an honor for me growing up and represent my country. When the national anthem happened, I wasn't someone who normally would sing. I put my hand over my heart, and I'd pray 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.

"I'm not going to take advice from someone who switched to the other side and singing another country's national anthem. And as my boy Titi [Thierry Henry] would say, stay in your own lane. It looks like he's in a dang moped, so worry about your own team."

ESPN described Marsch's relationship with U.S. Soccer since being passed over as a head coaching candidate in 2023 as "a contentious one," and it is clear there are still some bad feelings given the latest back and forth.

His Canadian team started the 2026 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina and needed a late goal from Cyle Larin to earn a point with the tie.

As for the United States, it cruised to a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in its opener and will face Australia Friday in its second Group D game.