Stephen Eustáquio says coach Jesse Marsch deserves Canadian citizenship

INGLEWOOD, CA — It might be time for Jesse Marsch to become a dual citizen.

That is according to Canada midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, who scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner on Sunday, June 28 to give his side a 1-0 win over South Africa in the World Cup round of 32.

Marsch, a Wisconsin native, will see his already high approval rating north of the border soar after Canada earned a win in its first ever World Cup knockout game.

A tense affair at SoFi Stadium looked to be heading for extra time before Eustáquio chested down a clearance near the top of the box and unleashed a perfectly placed low drive into the far corner.

Pandemonium ensued among Marsch and his players, who have already made history at this World Cup with the Canadian men's first World Cup point and then first-ever win at the tournament.

But a World Cup knockout round takes things to a new level, according to Eustáquio.

Asked after the game if Marsch should earn Canadian citizenship, the midfielder responded: "I think he deserves it."

Eustáquio added: "He was just telling us to continue pushing. Obviously, we're heroes right now for the country, because this is the first time we've ever won a [World Cup] knockout [game]."

Marsch arrived as Canada's head coach in 2024. It was his first job since he was sacked as Leeds manager — and came after he was nearly given the U.S. men's national team role.

The 52-year-old has spoken openly about how he felt "devastated" and "angry" after U.S. Soccer re-hired Gregg Berhalter over him in 2023, but he has channeled that disappointment into historic success as Canada boss.

Marsch led Canada to the semifinal of the 2024 Copa América just six weeks after taking the job. As big as that accomplishment was, it now pales in comparison to what he's achieved at this World Cup.

Though Marsch is still as American as they come, he also increasingly finds himself comfortably fitting into his new country.

"I am American, and I'm proud to be American, but I do think that the ideals and the characteristics of Canadian people fit me really well," he said in his postgame press conference.

"They value kindness, they value generosity. I think it's a country that is very welcoming to outsiders. Appreciates you for the things you do more than the things you say. Sometimes I know that Americans, we get a certain rap for being boisterous, for being arrogant, for being outwardly vocal, and I know that in many ways that does describe me, or at least people love to describe me that way. But again, I don't give a (expletive)."