Dempsey slams Marsch over anthem: Stay in lane
Key takeaways
- When he learned about Marsch's remarks, Dempsey, an analyst for Fox at the World Cup, responded in the fiery way that characterized his play during his time with the U.S.
- "He really said that?" Dempsey asked on air ahead of the United States opener against Paraguay.
- I've come back from two heart procedures and played for this country.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Speaking ahead of Canada's World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina -- which ended in a 1-1 draw -- Marsch, who coaches Canada and was an assistant to Bob Bradley with the USMNT in 2010-11, said: "In the U.S., sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem."
When he learned about Marsch's remarks, Dempsey, an analyst for Fox at the World Cup, responded in the fiery way that characterized his play during his time with the U.S.
"He really said that?" Dempsey asked on air ahead of the United States opener against Paraguay. "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.