Marsch's 'Canadian heroes' deliver defining win over South Africa - ESPN

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