Latest news with #CopaAmerica
Fox Sports
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Canada's Jesse Marsch Hasn't Coached at Gold Cup Yet, But He's the Talk of the Tournament
Is the most interesting manager at the Gold Cup the one who hasn't even appeared yet? Jesse Marsch, the American in charge of Canada's men's national team, is currently serving a two-game suspension. He missed out Tuesday's opener against Honduras in Vancouver (watching the 6-0 win from afar in a suite at BC Place) and will also sit out Saturday's Group B game vs Curaçao in Houston. On Wednesday, Concacaf said it would be further investigating Marsch for rules violations and using offensive language during Tuesday's game — even though he wasn't' even coaching. It only adds another layer of intrigue for a manager that FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas described as "big, bold and arrogant" earlier this summer. So, who is Jesse Marsch and why has he become one of the most polarizing figures at the Gold Cup? Lets's dive in: Why Is Marsch Suspended? Marsch's suspension dates back to March. He received a red card during the UEFA Nations League third-place match against the U.S. for berating the referee and then refusing to leave the pitch. His original one‑game ban was increased to two after Concacaf's disciplinary committee ruled his conduct was "unacceptable." But with Wednesday's announcement of a fresh investigation into Marsch, it could lead to further disciplinary action. As of now, Marsch will return for Canada's group stage finale against El Salvador on June 24 in Houston. And after the Canadians' statement win, this team is very much living up to expectations of being a tournament favorite and winning the title for the first time since 2000. Was Marsch ever a U.S. men's coach candidate? Yes, he was. Marsch made a splash coaching in Europe with Austrian club FC Salzburg from 2019-2021 and then had a short stint at Germany's RB Leipzig before getting fired from Leeds United in 2023. Marsch interviewed for the U.S. men's team job in 2023, but U.S. Soccer rehired Gregg Berhalter. Marsch was candid about that decision, saying afterward that he "wasn't treated very well in the process." Instead, he was hired to take over Canada's team ahead of the 2024 Copa America, and led the team to a surprise run to the semifinals where it lost to eventual champion Argentina. But the feud between Marsch and U.S. Soccer has only increased since then. What has Marsch said about the U.S. men's team? Marsch has taken some digs at the U.S. men's team since becoming Canada's coach. After the U.S. was eliminated in the group stage at the 2024 Copa America, Marsch was pretty candid about the team he once represented as a player. "I'm disappointed with the performances, the lack of discipline. There are a lot of things that I think we've tried to embody about the game in the U.S., and we've always believed in those group of players," Marsch said last summer. "I'm not there every day, so I don't have my finger on the pulse of what's going on, but it's certainly not what we expected coming into [the Copa America]." Ahead of this edition Gold Cup, there was talk about whether Marsch would consider the U.S. men's job should Mauricio Pochettino leave the post – especially ahead of the 2026 World Cup. "I want to make it clear – I don't care about the U.S. team, and I never want to coach the U.S. national team. I'm making that clear right now," Marsch said. With Canada also being a co-host for 2026 World Cup, expect Marsch to still be involved if the team continues to live up to its expectations. Marsch vs. Pochettino: Should we expect a U.S.-Canada clash at the Gold Cup? If the U.S. and Canada advance to the knockout rounds – both teams are in control of their respective groups – they could square up at one of the semifinal games on July 2. That would make for a tantalizing matchup between Marsch and Pochettino. These two coaches have already faced each other in March – the 2-1 win for Canada in the UEFA Nations League third-place match that got Marsch suspended in the first place – so expect some fireworks if the two teams meet. Canada has not won this tournament since 2000, so expect for Marsch to be extra motivated if the U.S. stand in his way of the title. After all, Canada has one of the best squads in the tournament (although Alphonso Davies is out with an injury). That's something Marsch made clear when he talked about the U.S. squad, which is missing players like Christian Pulisic. "Not one guy called me and said, 'Coach, I don't know, it's been a long year, maybe I don't come to the Gold Cup.' Not one guy," Marsch said earlier this month. "Not even close to that conversation." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from Gold Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
3 days ago
- Sport
Hard Rock Stadium tightens security at Club World Cup after chaotic scene at Copa America
MIAMI -- Almost a year since the Copa America final nearly ended in tragedy, big numbers of soccer fans are back at Hard Rock Stadium — this time for the Club World Cup with heightened security. A combined crowd of nearly 120,000 supporters have watched the opening two games staged in Miami. They have been greeted by extra checkpoints and a heavy police presence. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office says lessons have been learned from July of last year when ticketless fans rushed the gates at the home of the Miami Dolphins for a match between Argentina and Colombia, leaving fans terrified and bloodied as security struggled to contain the crush. The match was delayed an hour, children were in tears and concerns were sparked ahead of two more years of major soccer tournaments being staged in the United States — the Club World Cup this summer and the men's World Cup in 2026. This tournament is an early gauge as to how the U.S. will handle fans from 48 countries visiting next year's World Cup. There has been understandable focus on Miami after the shocking scenes at the Copa America when fans from a sellout crowd were too easily able to force their way into the 65,000-seat Hard Rock Stadium. 'We've put extensive measures in place to protect fans, players and staff,' Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said before the tournament. 'The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office is leading all security efforts for this global event.' Last year, police had to lift distressed children over barriers to avoid them being crushed, while elsewhere officers tackled to the ground the ticketless fans they could catch in a forlorn attempt to keep the hoards at bay. Videos showed some fans trying to climb through air vents to gain entry. Changes made over the past year mean fans for this tournament must pass through three separate checkpoints that enclose the entire campus before getting close to the stadium. Steel fencing is set up around the perimeter. First up is a ticket check at temporary gates, taking up large parts of the parking lot where tailgate parties might usually take place. Then comes another airport-style screening under tents where bags are checked by X-ray machines. Even flags need to be approved. Fans were able to get much closer to the stadium before checkpoints at the Copa America. 'When I was at the final, the security guards just opened the gate and started letting people through,' Edison Negron, a Boca Juniors fan from Puerto Rico told The Associated Press when describing the scenes as fans crushed against the barriers last year. Miami-Dade County said at the time that a full review would be conducted and that the scenes 'cannot happen again.' 'There will be a significant law enforcement and security footprint in and around the stadium to ensure public safety for all the events,' Det. Argemis Colome told the AP while adding social media was being monitored prior to matches. Preparations have included special training for a rapid-deployment force as part of a multi-agency response to potential crowd trouble. 'If things go south, we get ready for civil unrest and unruly fans,' the Sheriff's Office said in a social media post. A large police presence has been evident at both games played at Hard Rock so far — Saturday's tournament opener when a crowd of more than 60,000 watched Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly and Monday's match between Boca Juniors and Benfica in front of nearly 56,000. Patrol cars have been stationed along the interstate outside of the stadium and, within the grounds, officers equipped with face shields and protective clothing are on patrol. FIFA said it had worked closely with stadium officials, state and federal agencies 'to ensure a robust security presence.' A 2-2 draw between Argentine giant Boca and Benfica of Portugal was the first match at the stadium involving a large number of traveling fans. FIFA said Boca was the first team to sell out tickets for its three group stage matches, with fans of the 35-time Argentine champion dominating the crowd. No major altercations were reported. Boca plays a second match at Hard Rock against Bayern Munich on Friday. While only so much can be drawn from two games that have been below capacity, the extra safeguards put in place have been evident, with, as of yet, no repeat of the chaotic scenes at the Copa America.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIFA Club World Cup: Hard Rock Stadium tightens security after chaotic scene at Copa America
Almost a year since the Copa America final nearly ended in tragedy, big numbers of football fans are back at Hard Rock Stadium — this time for the Club World Cup with heightened security. A combined crowd of nearly 120,000 supporters have watched the opening two games staged in Miami. They have been greeted by extra checkpoints and a heavy police presence. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office says lessons have been learned from July of last year when ticketless fans rushed the gates at the home of the Miami Dolphins for a match between Argentina and Colombia, leaving fans terrified and bloodied as security struggled to contain the crush. The match was delayed an hour, children were in tears and concerns were sparked ahead of two more years of major football tournaments being staged in the United States — the Club World Cup this summer and the men's World Cup in 2026. Large crowds of fans try to enter the stadium amid disturbances prior the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP This tournament is an early gauge as to how the U.S. will handle fans from 48 countries visiting next year's World Cup. There has been understandable focus on Miami after the shocking scenes at the Copa America when fans from a sellout crowd were too easily able to force their way into the 65,000-seat Hard Rock Stadium. 'We've put extensive measures in place to protect fans, players and staff,' Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said before the tournament. 'The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office is leading all security efforts for this global event.' Last year, police had to lift distressed children over barriers to avoid them being crushed, while elsewhere officers tackled to the ground the ticketless fans they could catch in a forlorn attempt to keep the hoards at bay. Videos showed some fans trying to climb through air vents to gain entry. Changes made over the past year mean fans for this tournament must pass through three separate checkpoints that enclose the entire campus before getting close to the stadium. Steel fencing is set up around the perimeter. First up is a ticket check at temporary gates, taking up large parts of the parking lot where tailgate parties might usually take place. Then comes another airport-style screening under tents where bags are checked by X-ray machines. Even flags need to be approved. ALSO READ | Injured and locked-out fans file first lawsuits over Copa America stampede and melee Fans were able to get much closer to the stadium before checkpoints at the Copa America. 'When I was at the final, the security guards just opened the gate and started letting people through,' Edison Negron, a Boca Juniors fan from Puerto Rico told The Associated Press when describing the scenes as fans crushed against the barriers last year. Miami-Dade County said at the time that a full review would be conducted and that the scenes 'cannot happen again'. 'There will be a significant law enforcement and security footprint in and around the stadium to ensure public safety for all the events,' Det. Argemis Colome told the AP while adding social media was being monitored prior to matches. Preparations have included special training for a rapid-deployment force as part of a multi-agency response to potential crowd trouble. 'If things go south, we get ready for civil unrest and unruly fans,' the Sheriff's Office said in a social media post. A large police presence has been evident at both games played at Hard Rock so far — Saturday's tournament opener when a crowd of more than 60,000 watched Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly and Monday's match between Boca Juniors and Benfica in front of nearly 56,000. Patrol cars have been stationed along the interstate outside of the stadium and, within the grounds, officers equipped with face shields and protective clothing are on patrol. FIFA said it had worked closely with stadium officials, state and federal agencies 'to ensure a robust security presence'. A 2-2 draw between Argentine giant Boca and Benfica of Portugal was the first match at the stadium involving a large number of travelling fans. FIFA said Boca was the first team to sell out tickets for its three group stage matches, with fans of the 35-time Argentine champion dominating the crowd. No major altercations were reported. Boca plays a second match at Hard Rock against Bayern Munich on Friday. While only so much can be drawn from two games that have been below capacity, the extra safeguards put in place have been evident, with, as of yet, no repeat of the chaotic scenes at the Copa America.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Extra security at Club World Cup stadium following chaotic Copa America final scenes
Almost a year after the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium descended into chaos, large crowds of football fans have returned to the venue for the Club World Cup, met by increased security measures. Approximately 120,000 fans attended the first two matches in Miami, met by additional security checkpoints and a significant police presence. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has implemented enhanced safety protocols following the events of July last year. During the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, ticketless individuals stormed the stadium gates, causing panic and injuries as security struggled to manage the situation. The match was delayed by an hour, leaving children in tears and raising concerns about the safety of future major football tournaments in the United States, including this summer's Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup. The current tournament serves as a crucial assessment of the US's readiness to host fans from 48 countries during the upcoming World Cup. The focus is particularly intense on Miami, given the alarming scenes at the Copa America, where a sellout crowd overwhelmed the 65,000-seat Hard Rock Stadium. Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz stated prior to the tournament: "We've put extensive measures in place to protect fans, players and staff. The Miami -Dade Sheriff's Office is leading all security efforts for this global event." Last year, police had to lift distressed children over barriers to avoid them being crushed, while elsewhere officers tackled to the ground the ticketless fans they could catch in a forlorn attempt to keep the hoards at bay. Videos showed some fans trying to climb through air vents to gain entry. Changes made over the past year mean fans for this tournament must pass through three separate checkpoints that enclose the entire campus before getting close to the stadium. Steel fencing is set up around the perimeter. First up is a ticket check at temporary gates, taking up large parts of the parking lot where tailgate parties might usually take place. Then comes another airport-style screening under tents where bags are checked by X-ray machines. Even flags need to be approved. Fans were able to get much closer to the stadium before checkpoints at the Copa America. 'When I was at the final, the security guards just opened the gate and started letting people through,' Edison Negron, a Boca Juniors fan from Puerto Rico told The Associated Press when describing the scenes as fans crushed against the barriers last year. Miami-Dade County said at the time that a full review would be conducted and that the scenes 'cannot happen again.' 'There will be a significant law enforcement and security footprint in and around the stadium to ensure public safety for all the events,' Det. Argemis Colome told the AP while adding social media was being monitored prior to matches. Preparations have included special training for a rapid-deployment force as part of a multi-agency response to potential crowd trouble. 'If things go south, we get ready for civil unrest and unruly fans,' the Sheriff's Office said in a social media post. A large police presence has been evident at both games played at Hard Rock so far — Saturday's tournament opener when a crowd of more than 60,000 watched Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly and Monday's match between Boca Juniors and Benfica in front of nearly 56,000. Patrol cars have been stationed along the interstate outside of the stadium and, within the grounds, officers equipped with face shields and protective clothing are on patrol. FIFA said it had worked closely with stadium officials, state and federal agencies 'to ensure a robust security presence.' A 2-2 draw between Argentine giant Boca and Benfica of Portugal was the first match at the stadium involving a large number of traveling fans. FIFA said Boca was the first team to sell out tickets for its three group stage matches, with fans of the 35-time Argentine champion dominating the crowd. No major altercations were reported. Boca plays a second match at Hard Rock against Bayern Munich on Friday. While only so much can be drawn from two games that have been below capacity, the extra safeguards put in place have been evident, with, as of yet, no repeat of the chaotic scenes at the Copa America.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Nearly 1.5 million tickets sold for Club World Cup, FIFA says
Jun 16, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; FIFA signage is seen on the pitch prior to a match between CA Boca Juniors and SL Benfica in a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Reuters) -Fans from over 130 countries have purchased nearly 1.5 million tickets for the Club World Cup that kicked off last weekend in its newly expanded format across the United States, FIFA said on Tuesday. A crowd of more than 60,000 turned up for the opener at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, which featured Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, while some 80,000 were in the Rose Bowl stands as Paris St Germain beat Atletico Madrid 4-0 on Sunday. Yet some matches have also been sparsely attended, as a 0-0 draw between Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense that kicked off midday on Tuesday played out to a half-empty MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. While Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca described the atmosphere at his team's game against Los Angeles FC as "a bit strange", as a little over 22,000 spectators came to watch at the 71,000 capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday. "This is exactly what the FIFA Club World Cup was created for: a world-class stage where new stories are told, new heroes emerge, and club football fans feel part of something bigger," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. Designed as a glittering curtain-raiser for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA hopes to build enthusiasm for the quadrennial spectacle among often soccer-ambivalent fans in the U.S., which will co-host the tournament next year with Canada and Mexico. Concerns had been rampant, however, after a lacklustre Copa America in 2024 that played out on sub-par pitches to half-empty stadiums and ended with a fan security fiasco at the final in Miami. (Reporting by Amy Tennery in East Rutherford, by Toby Davis)
