Clint Dempsey has hit out at Canada coach Jesse Marsch after he claimed he had to ‘beg’ USMNT stars to sing the national anthem during his time with the team.Marsch was a US international during his playing days, earning two caps, and later served as an assistant under Bob Bradley between 2010 and 2011.Marsch caused a stir with his comments on the USMNT ahead of Canada’s World Cup openerGettySpeaking ahead of Canada’s opening World Cup fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, he appeared to draw comparisons between players from the two nations.“Every one of these boys is incredibly Canadian,” Marsch said of his current roster.“And the pride that they have in putting on the jersey, representing the country, hearing the national anthem.“In the US, sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem.“These guys (the Canadian players) sing the national anthem, belt it out to the top of their lungs, because they want to show the country how proud they are to be here, to be Canadians and to represent what Canada is.”Clint Dempsey fires back at Jesse Marsch’s USMNT claimDempsey, who is serving as a Fox pundit for this summer’s tournament, took issue with Marsch’s statement on Friday’s pregame broadcast.Ahead of Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the USMNT icon suggested he wouldn’t take any criticism from a man who ‘switched to the other side.’“He really said that?” Dempsey asked of Marsch’s comments.“Man, I can’t take this guy too seriously.“It was an honour for me growing up and representing my country. When the national anthem happened, I wasn’t someone who would usually sing.Dempsey hit back at Marsch’s claim he ‘begged’ US stars to sing the national anthemFoxThe USMNT icon branded Marsch a man who has ‘switched to the other side’Getty“I put my hand over my heart and prayed for the good man upstairs.”Dempsey is one of the USMNT’s greatest World Cup stars, and played at three tournaments during his storied career.He scored in all three of those editions — 2006, 2010, 2014 — and recorded 54 goals in 141 appearances for his country.The former striker went on to emphasize his commitment to the team as he fired back at Marsch.“I’m someone who’s bled for this country, I’ve broken my nose playing for this country, I’ve come back for two heart procedures and played for this country,” he contined.“I’m not going to take advice from someone who’s switched to the other side and is singing another country’s national anthem.Dempsey earned 141 camps for the USMNT during an impressive careerGettyView Tweet: https://x.com/clint_dempsey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw“And as my boy Titi (Thierry Henry) would say, stay in your own lane. It looks like he’s in the dang moped, so worry about your own team.”Jesse Marsch praises Canadian spirit after historic World Cup resultAfter hitting back at Marsch, Dempsey watched on as the 52-year-old coach led Canada to their first World Cup point.Substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute to secure a draw, and put the co-hosts on the board in their third tournament appearance.Jovo Lukic headed in a corner kick in the 21st minute to give Bosnia-Herzegovina a lead they held for close to an hour.Larin’s late goal delivered Canada their first World Cup points against Bosnia and HerzegovinaGettyPostgame, Marsch doubled down on how proud he is of his players, and the Canadian fans.“Toronto, the city has been alive this week, we’ve really enjoyed being here,” he said.“I expect Vancouver to be the same, all the red jerseys were outstanding, we need the same in Vancouver.“Keep pushing this team, keep rooting. We’ve got to give these guys confidence and make them believe they can be winners.”Stay up to date on all things USMNT across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.