Jesse Marsch is enjoying (and helping) the big wave of CanMNT summer transfers: "I'm really proud"
It’s been a busy summer for CanMNT transfers, as several players have changed clubs over the past few months - and that movement doesn’t look like it’ll slow down anytime soon.
TRANSFER WINDOW ROUND-UP 🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) August 21, 2025
Many CanMNT 🇨🇦 stars landed in new and likely more optimal clubs, where minutes are crucial ahead of the World Cup 👀
Here's your 90-second recap 😎 pic.twitter.com/uBQsc4xsdK
Of course, this has not been a typical summer for most players, as they deal with the reality that the World Cup is now less than a year away. Naturally, that tournament appears to have played a big role in the decisions a lot of Canadian players have made in recent times, as they look to put themselves in the best situations possible ahead of next summer.
From locks in Canada’s World Cup roster to players on the fringes just looking to sneak their way into the squad, everyone seems to know how important it is to pursue the right opportunities, as the right or wrong transfer can be the difference between making the squad and missing out altogether - or even affect whether or not someone starts or sits on the bench.
Interestingly, though, one key figure is playing a big role in helping ensure these players find the right clubs to play at - CanMNT head coach, Jesse Marsch. Not only has he been a helpful guide for players weighing up potential destinations, but he’s also even helped facilitate some moves, too, using his connections to create opportunities.
Jesse Marsch on watching (and helping) #CanMNT 🇨🇦 stars make big moves to European
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) August 26, 2025
"It's been really fun to watch week-in and week-out, the performances and opportunities grow for our players." pic.twitter.com/RfsZewIQCw
Therefore, while no Canadian has yet moved to Leeds United or any of the Red Bull clubs (New York, Salzburg and Leipzig) that Marsch coached at, he’s looked to use the connections he amassed at those clubs to the best of his ability when helping players, who have certainly benefited from that guidance.
“I'm having discussions every day with agents, clubs and coaches, trying to support our guys and help with my connections, while also giving feedback to clubs and players about the potential of what a new club could mean for their future, especially ahead of next summer,” Marsch said when explaining his role in their transfers. “I appreciate that between the agencies, players and clubs, there’s been a lot of respectful discourse on what we think of different situations, and how to find the best ones for all our players.”
Ultimately, Marsch isn’t going to be one to tell a player where they should and shouldn’t go - a decision that can often come down to factors that go far beyond their fit in a squad - but he’s looked to serve as a resource for them to lean on when needed; even though he joked that this busy period has pushed him to ponder why he didn’t become an agent instead of a coach.
“In the end, I just want to support them,” he continued. “I care about these guys; I want to see them be successful. It's not just about creating a winning team for next summer; it’s also about supporting these young men to be in the best environments so that they can do the best for themselves and their families.”
“I’ve enjoyed this work; it’s been busy the last four weeks, maybe I should have become an agent instead of a football coach, but this is something that I care about. I want to see these guys put themselves in situations to succeed.”
To that last point, though, it feels like the CanMNT is a lot stronger because of these new transfers, as it feels like most players have sought out situations where they appear set to succeed.
At the same time, while Marsch has helped them with that with his work off the field, it’s worth noting that none of this happens without the growth of this Canadian team on the pitch since his arrival, either.
Jesse Marsch says he has felt like an agent this summer with the conversations he's been having with clubs about #CanMNT moves.
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) August 26, 2025
"I want to support them. I care about these guys. I want to see them be successful. It's not just about creating a winning team for next summer."
Now into the top 30 of the FIFA Rankings for the first time, that has caught the attention of many worldwide, who are starting to recognize what this Canadian team is all about. On top of the work that several CanMNT players are doing at the club level, putting up excellent performances week-in and week-out, and that’s created a reality where more and more Canadian players are getting recognized as potential impact contributors - hence this wave of Canadians into the top five European leagues in recent years.
Once upon a time, Alphonso Davies was the lone Canadian player who would catch the attention of the ‘general football fan’ - now, players like Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin, Stephen Eustáquio, Moïse Bombito, Ismaël Kone, Alistair Johnston, and so many others have changed that perception with how they’ve performed at their clubs over the last few years.
Just look at the attention a pair of CanMNT stars got this past weekend, as Jonathan David scored his first goal for Italian giants Juventus, while Tajon Buchanan scored a hat trick for Villarreal in La Liga action, capturing the attention of many with their impressive exploits.
Given their presence as key CanMNT contributors, you can’t help but link what they did for club this weekend with what they’ve done for country in the past - especially when considering Marsch’s arrival, as he’s pushed players to create higher standards for themselves when playing for both club and country since his first day in charge.
“I don't want to take too much credit; a lot of these guys, with club and country, have all really performed at a high level,” Marsch explained. “When I go back to the first discussion that I had with the team in 2024, it was all about how we needed to create higher standards and higher demands. We need to understand what the game looks like at the highest level, emulate that and put that into practice with everything we do with the national team and with what they’re doing for their club teams.”
“To a man, I think the guys have understood the reasons and the strategies behind what we're trying to do here, and they've tried to put it into practice in the best way they can. Frankly, as fans and supporters of theirs, it's been really fun to watch week-in and week-out their performances, progression, and development as the opportunities grow for our players.”
“I'm really proud of our team and our guys, so I want to support them as much as I can.”
Now, with all of the moves that have been made and the ones that are still to come, it’s hoped that it can really push the CanMNT to the next level as they tackle a tricky schedule of fall friendlies.
With the World Cup now rapidly approaching, the pressure is on for them as they look to capitalize on the limited preparation opportunities that remain available to them over the next stretch.
Ultimately, for all of the work that Marsch will do with this team in these camps, what his players do at their clubs is going to play a massive role in what this Canadian team looks like next summer, which is perhaps why he’s gone above and beyond to help many of them, not that they’ve needed it - in his words, he’s also recognized that he’s dealing with a smart group of players who have recognized themselves how important these moves can be for their careers; both in the short and long term.
“Most of our guys are really conscious about making calculated decisions on what's best for their career,” Marsch said. “ Before it was just guys trying to get to Europe, and now you see that a lot more of our guys are thinking about how each club is like, where do they want to go how to get there, and things like the (tactical fit), the coach, the style of football in the league, and what the club represents, and then seeing what fits.”
“I love that our guys are intelligent enough and worldly enough on how the game works to think very carefully about these decisions in terms of what's best for them in their careers. It’s usually not about the finances or the fame or the idea of what playing at the biggest clubs could be like, and it’s more about how they create a career path for themselves to have the best chance to achieve their potential and be the best they can be, which I think is absolutely the right strategy.”
