Jesse Marsch says he had to beg USMNT players to sing national anthem

Jesse Marsch, a former assistant coach for the United States men's national team, has disclosed that he occasionally had to urge players to sing the national anthem before matches. The revelation came during a recent interview where Marsch reflected on his time with the squad.

Marsch, who served under then-head coach Bob Bradley from 2010 to 2011, said he sometimes 'had to beg' the players to participate in the pre-game ritual. He noted that it was not always a priority for some members of the team.

The comments add to ongoing discussions about player expression and national pride in American soccer. The USMNT has faced scrutiny over anthem protocols in recent years, with various players choosing to kneel or remain silent during the ceremony.