INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- After Canada beat South Africa to win their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout match and advance to the round of 16 on Sunday, coach Jesse Marsch didn't hesitate to call his players "Canadian heroes."
Marsch was overheard on the broadcast talking to his players on the field after Stephen Eustáquio's 92nd-minute volley gave Canada a 1-0 win over South Africa. "This sport has a big future because of you guys," Marsch said.
"People like to say it's performative to meet on the pitch after the game, and I don't give a s---. And frankly, I don't care," Marsch told reporters after the game. "In these moments after games, people get pulled in a lot of directions, so you have to take the moment right there.
"I wanted to voice to them how important a moment like this will be for the sport and the national team. It's a shame we couldn't do it in Vancouver, but it's a pleasure to be their coach, and it's something that motivates me every day."
Canada were playing in Marsch's native U.S. because of their 2-1 loss to Switzerland in the final game of Group B play that guaranteed the team a second-place finish. So instead of playing in Vancouver, in front of the Canadian fanbase, Marsch and his team played their first-ever World Cup knockout game in the Los Angeles area.
And with no shortage of Canada supporters in the 69,000-plus in attendance at SoFi Stadium, Marsch's team might still have felt right at home as it progressed to the round of 16 to face the winner of the Netherlands-Morocco game.
"We are used to playing in the States with Copa Americas, and the Gold Cup and friendlies," Marsch said. "We were disappointed not to play at home, but the guys quickly refocused and stayed focused and concentrated on the opponent, and it took 92 minutes to do it, but we did it.
"Our goal in tournament -- other than inspiring our nation -- was to make a run to face one of the giants of the soccer world. And given Morocco's recent run, they are a giant. And given the Dutch's dominance over the decades, they are a giant, too.
"I feel like [this next game] is a free hit, and we are going to go out and give it our best shot."
Marsch hasn't been shy about saying he feels connected to the people of Canada -- and their national team -- since taking over as coach in May 2024. That pride was evident as he told reporters the rewards of working with this group.
"The ideals and character of the Canadian people fit me very well," Marsch said. "It's a country that is kind and caring to outsiders. It's a country that appreciates the things you do more than the things you say.
"Americans get a rap for being boisterous and outwardly vocal, but again, I don't give a s---. All I care about is working with the players and trying to get the best out of people and this group."
When asked what the United States might expect from its round-of-32 opponent, Bosnia-Herzegovina, who settled for a 1-1 draw against Canada in their opening match of the World Cup, Marsch wasn't giving anything away.
"It's up to the U.S. to figure out, and it's up to the players on their team," said Marsch, who came close to coaching the U.S. in 2024 before taking the Canada job. "Whoever Bosnia plays, they will give a really hard match."