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We could certainly do much worse, and have a history of doing so.

Lets be honest, someone with his resume, if they had an European/South American passport, we'd be reacting differently. Objectively, he checks all the boxes: has coached in Canada, knowns CONCACAF, was a former international assistant coach during WCQ and a World Cup, has coached in Europe and has done so at the highest level, and is a good motivator. On top of that, he seems to dislike Berhalter and likely has a bone to pick with the USSF. Arguably one of higher profile and experienced coaches we have ever hired. IMO its worth giving the man a chance.

Interesting tidbit from the press release: The appointment of Marsch is assisted by major philanthropic contributions from the owners of the three Canadian-based MLS clubs – Vancouver Whitecaps, Joey Saputo, and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment – and supplemented by other private donors. In recognition of their significant philanthropic support, Marsch’s position will be formally titled as the MLS Canada Men’s National Team Head Coach during the term of his initial contract. This type of donor recognition is common at universities and hospitals, in NCAA sports, and is starting to be used in the Canadian sport system – for example, with the Stollery Family Women’s National Team Head Coach support at Golf Canada. These commitments are part of a forthcoming major gifts program that will provide Canadian philanthropists with a structured opportunity to support Canada Soccer programs of all types – including the Men’s and Women’s National Team systems, from youth teams up through the senior national teams.

21 year old striker has signed with Salford City in League Two. Former Sigma/Forge player and played a season in NCAA https://www.salfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2024/may/15/young-canadian-agrees-salford-deal/

When Herdman was manager, certain powerful and rich people in Canada donated oodles of money to make sure we qualified for 2022. Those charter planes shuttling us between Toronto and Central America did not come free. Maybe some of them had MLS links.

Can the Voyageurs sponsor the kit-person? Or maybe... The Voyageurs Men's National Team Set Piece Coach?

This is better news than the hiring. Blue refuses to be hemmed in by CSA/CSB nonsense.

Thanks to whatever diety you believe in that it wasn't Biello

I do hiring rather often and the people I want on a selection committee are people who think rationally, critically and most importantly, can work together as a committee. I am so glad we found people who could do that and were former players and now in significant roles in MLS AND CPL. But most of all, you don’t want a committee of 15 people, that just slows down the process. Sorry Brennan and Forrest that you weren’t invited…maybe there was a reason.

Columbus Crew beat reporter indicates that JRR is back in full training and may play on Saturday, so it doesn't appear that he will not be back in time for the Copa, or even the Holland & France friendlies: I think we can safely toss out the injury timelines mentioned on Fotmob unless they are confirmed elsewhere - as I mentioned up thread, Fotmob had McNaughton returning to play by next week, which was a major red flag for me

For whatever reason, he definitely looks and seems older than he did much earlier in his career.

To be honest none of us should laugh or complain. Hes the best CV of a coach in awhile and we actually outbid a team. also, we knew we were poor. Blue is thinking outside the box and being creative, guys we want to play with the big boys but don’t have the budget. It won’t always be this way, but it is for now. This is a welcome solution I don’t care what it’s called, we got a good coach and I’m happy about it. he’s wanted this job for years, remember that.

according to herdman he may be back next week.so he may get the canada call up

2 goals, 2 assists today

I'm really enjoying half the ppl saying MLS teams are using their bribe to make the CMNT select MLS players and half the ppl saying MLS teams are using their bribe to make the CMNT avoid selecting MLS players

Blue was pretty forthright in saying he was going to find philanthropic ways to fund the association. I see no problem with this…

TSN SportsCetnre leads off with Messi's first trip to Canada and then advertises Canada v Argentina , before showing NHL playoff highlights. . Seems like a big deal ro me.

https://x.com/tsnscianitti/status/1790107012149178449?s=46&t=jq2aEPgJj7vxzNx1NF6O7A OFFICIAL: https://x.com/canmnt_official/status/1790113918368481668?s=46&t=jq2aEPgJj7vxzNx1NF6O7A

I don't understand why this is a bad look. To me, the bad look is that we're fucking broke and our federation has been a complete and utter joke for the past few decades. That's the bad look. Actually trying something different to remedy the situation for once? Call me crazy, but to me that's a good look. This is Canada Soccer, we're lucky to have our bread buttered on one side, never mind both. Unless some unsavoury details come out about this deal, which to this point there has been none (unless I'm missing something), this seems like a brilliant move to actually inject some funding into a program that was otherwise dead in the water. Stadium sponsor, good. Kit sponsor, good. Fucking Weetabix half-time show, good. But manager title sponsor, bad! I just don't understand why it matters. And I literally mean that, I don't actually understand why people are upset about it. Because it's new/different? Because other countries aren't doing it? Because people are personally embarrassed by it? It has been said ad nauseam on this forum that we need more corporate money in the program, that money doesn't grow on trees, that we need someone with some fresh creative ideas to generate some new value in the program, and now that that literal thing is happening, people are upset by it. The reality of Canada Soccer at this point in time is: get creative or be poor. I know what I'm picking.

You guys are a tough bunch to please. The CSA dont have the money and beggars can't be choosers. The 3 MLS teams are not the enemy but part of the professional infrastructure that we dearly need for the Canadian game to grow.

Nice assist in a sub appearance.

Regardless of his record in the Prem or the Bundesliga, to get those jobs in the first place, he clearly had to be viewed as quite an impressive individual with a lot of potential. Football coaches around the world just don't *get* those type of jobs. Yes, those spells didn't seem to workout well in a small-ish sample size but that's not uncommon for many highly touted coaches. Football is finicky, especially in highly competitive, demanding leagues. In my opinion, on paper, this is one of the most impressive coaches we've ever hired. I like that he's current, he's still relatively young and he's clearly a very ambitious individual. Can we say we've had a hire like him before? Herdman worked out amazingly well but the majority of us doubted his credentials. Zambrano was coaching football in modest South American leagues. Floro was far past his prime. And prior to that, to put it nicely, we've had a carousel of mediocre Canadian coaches at the helm (Mitchell, Hart, Yallop etc). This was the best we were going to get and it feels like a very positive hire. I'm looking forward to seeing how he wants our lads to play.

So far he's delivering on exactly what he's promised and has been a huge breath of fresh air. Interesting to start to learn what some his novel ideas for streams of revenue are. Have to give him full credit, for a federation that has given the federal government a run for its money in incompetence and bureaucracy, he has moved swiftly and effectively. A great hire so far.

People cry for more funding for the national teams and then bitch when that funding comes. Canadian soccer in a nutshell.

I think he’s a good choice, knows Canada, knows Concacaf, decent amount of experience. I’m just glad we have a new coach in place before the June friendlies.

As soon as I heard his name in the mix I thought it would be him. I know a lot of people will bash the hire because a lot of people bash everything the CSA does but I like it.

I like it. He knows the Canadian landscape and wanted to do more within Canada before he ended up with NYRB. I think he'll also have a chip on his shoulder after Greggggggg was re-signed to the USMNT.

I would just like to point out that this thread has reached 20 pages in the five days of its existence and was "HOT" for parts of the first three days. By contrast, the Herdman new head coach thread took 2.5 months to reach 20 pages - and that was a way more controversial and unexpected appointment. Love everybody's passion on here and care for the CMNT. Carry on...

Still a little confused about the narrative that MLS is going to be getting kickbacks on this deal. In what way would that even manifest? The Footy Prime guys are suggesting it, people on this forum have suggested it, but what does that even mean in real terms? The only thing I could possibly imagine is that the manager picks an MLS-heavy squad, but if that is at the expense of picking the best possible squad, how would it benefit MLS to pick a weaker team and get poor results? There's not a single scenario where anyone in the Canada Soccer/MLS picture benefits from not selecting the best possible team to get the best possible results. So I just really don't understand what people are referring to when they suggest that MLS will be getting some sort of kickbacks through this philanthropic arrangement. I'd be open to hearing what I'm possibly missing on this though.

It's insane that these people are what we have to listen to in Canada as far as experts. There's zero chance Mauro would EVER be considered for a Bundesliga job, let alone a Premier League job. I wouldn't even expect Mauro to get a legitimate shot a Championship level team, maybe even League 1 in England. Marsch, like him or not, is so far ahead of Mauro that's hilarious to even mention them in the same category.

Don't know if this has been mentioned elsewhere (it's been a busy day), but Canada Soccer Daily's announcement of the Marsch hiring also mentions that the Copa squad should be announced in the next 10-12 days.

I'm not gonna complain about the MLS Canada HC thing until there's actually something to complain about. Our team has always had a strong MLS contingent it's not like that's gonna change.

Now that he’s ours and it’s time to be biased in his favour, Herdman took us far with zero experience, JM’s experience is comparatively very impressive. He’s coached at a higher level than most of our players play at, he’s managed deficient squads like Leeds and very rich squads like Leipzig. Apparently he was interested in the Canada job pre-Herdman, so I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt that he wants this job because he believes in it, not because it was available. Started his career in Montreal, comes back to Canada for his most illustrious chapter yet. I’m into it.

Expecting a Westhead article any minutes now

Maybe his performance against Real was enough to move the needle.

The Marsch hire seems to have completely dissolved any remaining sanity that big USMNT twitter accounts had left- Tactical Manager is currently going through it right now. Canada simultaneously had to settle for a bad coach because we’re a poor and irrelevant nation, but still Marsch is somehow “slightly better” than Berhalter. Also, because the Canadian MLS teams chipped in to afford him, they should be removed from the league and sent to the CPL. First match against the states on our turf might have him think about changing sports.

He's on with proud pops in the stands.

Put aside York, Vancouver and Valour for a minute. There have been some disappointing attendances to start the season for the other clubs. Ottawa, Forge, Cavalry and Pacific have all crowds which are lower than they should be. Even Halifax' 5500 is disappointing by their standards. Early days and by no means a reason to panic, but disappointing nonetheless What I'm noticing with Cavalry is the fan zone in the top 5 rows of 104, 105 and 106 aren't selling, when in past years they would be sold out every game. This despite the price not having changed and parking being free now. Most games this year have had people justifying a crowd size with various reasons. Poor weather, good weather, time of the game, stadium location, poor marketing, CSB, too many home games at once, etc. There's always a reason for people to stay away. At some point people have to give a shit about these clubs for them to succeed and it seems it's been a step back this year.

Kerfoot has funded Canada Soccer for more than 15 years particularly residency to friendlies to youth teams for the women but has eschewed publicity. Saputo is using his name rather than CFM which tells me, it's also personal. MLSE has MLSE Foundation for these type of things. And all 3 MLS teams have been directly/indirectly involved with Canada Soccer from youth development to matchday ops. New MLSE head also has a penchant for these type of deals and said the World Cup is the thing he's most excited about that is under MLSE's umbrella. So, I don't see Canada Soccer needing to give away anything consequential. Canadians pay for their tax deduction. If it's like NCAA model, they get their name plastered here & there + VIP access but otherwise, it's about personal legacy, passionate about a sport/school and giving back. So, Blue is pulling more levers like we wanted. Player fees are increasing. And now he got Saputo/MLSE who weren't previously linked directly to funding Canada Soccer. But truly new things are transparency about these type of deals and branding of a manager.

Glad they took my advice. Not on who to select, but on getting this done this week. 😉 I am open-minded about this appointment, will take a wait-and-see approach, but I am glad that they are not simply sticking with Biello as a head coach. I don't mind if Mauro, Stalteri, etc. stay on as assistants, mind you. Marsch was recently on a podcast with Jimmy Conrad & Charlie Davies talking about how optimistic he was about Canada's chances at the Copa, which may be worth a re-watch given this news. I will see if I can find it on youtube when I have a moment

I am just glad it’s over. Let’s prep for the friendlies and maybe cause a ripple or two at Copa.

I can't wait for MLS Canada Men's National Team Head Coach to name his first roster and then have to explain why all the MLS-based players have been held back because MLS doesn't break for FIFA windows.

I really like the hire. Hope he finds a spot for Biello but honestly, we could do a lot worse than Marsch.

I was getting worried it wasn't going to happen

2 goals now....

Proud of Tajon. First Canadian goal in Serie A.

If we are going to start taking clues from everything he says for the next 3 weeks is going to be a long but hilarious ride. Guess what. In his interview with One Soccer he singled out David and Davies. I bet he starts them.

Great news to see him get another start: https://www.instagram.com/p/C61Kx6VtMZ-/