Longtime U.S. soccer analyst Alexi Lalas ripped the postgame message from Canada's head coach, Jesse Marsch, following the country's Round of 16 loss to Morocco on Saturday afternoon.
Canada reached the Round of 16 for the first time in country history. However, Canada had a tough matchup in the Round of 16, facing Morocco. The Canadians couldn't hang for a full 90 minutes, ultimately falling 3-0.
Following the game, Canada's head coach, Jesse Marsch - who is from the U.S. - claimed that they were actually the better team.
"What a privilege our fans have had," Marsch said, via Fox Sports, "to root a team on like this, that goes after the game, that doesn't play defensive, that shows that they can be better.
"Of course, we have to be in these situations more and more, and then we have to find ways to succeed, and then we have to build from that, but what a great team."
That's when he added: "I'd rather be us than them. As good as Morocco is, I'd rather be us. I'm really proud of our guys. We went after the game. They're hurting right now, but, my goodness, I couldn't be prouder."
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Lalas spoke out on Marsch's message following the game, making it clear that he disagreed with the head coach.
U.S. soccer analyst disagrees with postgame message
“I got a lot of respect for Jesse and what he has done in terms of taking a lot of the heat and taking a lot of the attention. I think strategically in order to take it off of his players, he drives some people crazy with the things that he says,” Lalas said. “I think that Canada deserves Jesse Marsch.”
Ultimately, it's Canada going home.
“Canada’s going home. Morocco is going on. So, I would rather be a team that won and is going on. I get the romantic notion that Jesse is talking about there, and they will continue to talk about him and this team for many years to come on what is to come, but romance only gets you so far,” he said.
“America wants to win. America wants its soccer teams to win.”
The U.S will be taking on Belgium on Monday night.
