Midfielder
Jesse Marsch
5' 11"
Biography of retired USMNT player Jesse Marsch who is the head coach of Canada's national team.
Caps: 2
Versatility is a strong asset, and it’s something Jesse Marsch used throughout his career for club and the USMNT. Marsch was an offensive standout at Princeton University, but slipped right into a defensive midfield role when he joined the Chicago Fire. He played wherever needed with the USMNT.
In the pro game, Marsch was a stalwart and consistent cog in the midfields of both the Chicago Fire and Chivas USA. He became internationally known for first taking out and then squaring up to David Beckham in one of Beckham’s first MLS appearances for the LA Galaxy in the late summer of 2007.
Retiring from Chivas USA after the 2009 season, Marsch joined Bob Bradley’s US National Team staff as an assistant coach. He later coached the Montreal Impact in their expansion season. In 2015, he took over as coach of the New York Red Bulls with Supporters’ Shield wins in 2015 and 2018.
Moving to European club soccer, Marsch became an assistant coach with RB Leipzig in July 2018. He became Red Bull Salzburg head coach for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons winning back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga and cup titles while coaching in the Champions League. Marsch returned to RB Leipzig as head coach for the 2021-22 season, leaving on December 5, 2021.
Marsch took over at Leeds United on February 28, 2022 and avoided relegation that season. He left that role on February 6, 2023. Marsch began working for CBS Sports’ coverage of the Champions League in the fall of 2023. On May 13, 2024, he became the head coach of Canada’s men’s national team.
Photo by John Todd – ISIPhotos.com
USMNT Experience
2007
Returns to the USMNT for the May friendly against China, coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute.
2001
Made his international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago.
Professional Experience
2009
Played in 23 games starting 21 with Chivas USA. Retired after the season to become a US National Team assistant coach.
2008
Started 24 of 25 games with Chicas USA, and started both their playoff games as they exited in the opening round.
2007
A key member of the Chivas USA midfield as the team took the Western Conference regular season title. Made 30 starts (two goals and four starts) overall.
2006
Helped re-built Chivas USA make the playoffs for the first time. Scored two goals and tallied three assists in 32 starts overall.
2005
Scored six goals and registered two assists in 31 games (25 starts) in last season with the Fire.
2004
Missed Fire's first 19 games due to off-season surgery on his right ankle. Made ten appearances.
2003
Scored five goals in 23 games overall (19 starts) helping the Fire win the Supporters' Shield and the US Open Cup.
2002
Led team in minutes played, scoring a goal and 7 assists in 31 games overall.
2001
Started in 33 games both regular- and post-season for the Fire, scoring three goals and adding eight assists.
2000
Played a career-high overall 37 games (36 starts) with the Fire on their way to the MLS Cup final, tallying two goals and nine assists. Helped them win the US Open Cup title too.
1999
Played 32 games (30 starts) overall, scoring two goals and notching three assists in second year for Chicago.
1998
Traded to the Chicago Fire from DC United. Played in 34 games (30 starts) for the Fire as they won MLS Cup against his old side, tallying three goals and three assists on the way. Scored a game-winning goal in the playoff semifinals against LA.
1997
Scored three goals for United in 11 games (one start).
1996
Played in four games as a sub in his rookie campaign for DC United, scoring a lone goal.
Youth and College
Scored 30 goals at Princeton, where he played for coach Bob Bradley.
