(Houston) Jesse Marsch, the Canadian national men’s team head coach, is downplaying the significance of a Concacaf examination into his conduct during the Gold Cup opener.
“I think it is a much more important event in the media than internally,” said Marsch, accompanied by defender Richie laryea on Friday, ahead of Saturday’s match against Curaçao at Shell Energy Stadium.
Stating that a disciplinary process was in progress, he requested that questions focus on the game itself.
Saturday’s contest marks the conclusion of Marsch’s two-game suspension, stemming from a red card he received during the Concacaf Nations League third-place match in March.
However, the head coach remains under scrutiny as he faces new disciplinary measures initiated by concacaf following Canada‘s 6-0 victory over Honduras on Tuesday in vancouver.
Concacaf stated that its disciplinary committee is examining weather Canada and Marsch failed to comply with regulations regarding suspended personnel and whether offensive language was directed at Concacaf officials during the game.
The Concacaf investigation will reportedly focus on where Marsch watched the match and the language he used when asked to relocate.
Television footage showed Marsch in a BC Place suite. He was taking notes and watching the match with a laptop, alongside othre members of the Canadian team’s leadership. Assistant coach, Mauro Biello, led Canada on the sidelines in his absence.
Marsch indicated that his players were in a positive frame of mind.
“I told them they didn’t need me on the bench at the moment,” said Marsch. The match against Honduras proved it, I think. »»
Laryea added that the team was “focused on matches”.
PHOTO NICK WASS, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Richie Laryea
I don’t think that harms the group. I think we have been well prepared for adversity and that we certainly know how to manage it. It is indeed thus only one more obstacle that we are going to overcome.
Richie Laryea
Curaçao, who achieved their best Gold Cup result in 2019 by reaching the quarter-finals, played against Salvador on Tuesday, drawing 0-0 in their Group B match.
“It’s a very technical team capable of playing good football, several players of which have Dutch origins,” said marsch. I think the coach (Dick Advocaat) has done remarkable work by clearly explaining who they are and what they represent.
“It is also an experienced team, so we will need a new complete performance to manage this match and this opponent. »»
canadian central defender Derek Cornelius, still recovering from a lower body injury, will not be available on Saturday. Though, defender Alistair Johnston and midfielder Ismaël Koné, both of whom arrived late to camp, will be available.
Canada has won all three of its previous matches against Curaçao, including a 2-0 victory in the League of Nations in March 2023.
Mexico is the current champion of the Gold Cup, after defeating Panama 1-0 in the 2023 final to win its ninth title of the Gold Cup. canada had been dismissed in the quarterfinals.
