A few former teammates and coaches were able to provide quotes on Jesse Marsch, who announced today his retirement from Chivas USA and MLS, and will join the U.S. National Team as an assistant coach to Bob Bradley.
Jonathan Bornstein
Jesse Marsch has been very influential in my development as a professional soccer player. He always leads by example, has great work ethic, knowledge of the game, and an ability to communicate about the game to the younger players. He has been there with answers to any of my questions and I know he will be successful with anything he pursues in the future. It has been a pleasure to play with him on Chivas these past 4 years and I can truly say I am a better player due to being his teammate.
Sacha Kljestan
Jesse Marsch was my midfield partner and mentor for the last four years. I learned a lot from him, on and off the field. We had a good partnership over the years and I enjoyed stepping on the field knowing he had my back every game. He taught me a lot about being a professional and I am sad to see him retire, but I know he will do great in his next chapter of his career and I wish him and his family well.
Claudio Suarez
He was an excellent teammate. We came to Chivas USA almost at the same time, and at first I didn’t know him very well. Very quickly he became important part of the team getting good results. He was an important player, a leader, and he always motivated the rest of the guys. We also had a good friendship. He’s one of those players that you never want to see leave the game, that you always hope will keep playing.
John Harkes
Jesse Marsch is, without a doubt, one of the truest professionals that I have played with. Commitment, desire, ability to simplify the game. Jesse is one of the great leaders in the game, while never failing to add his character. I congratulate him and wish him all the best for his next challenge in the beautiful game.
Bob Bradley
I have had the opportunity to work with Jesse for many years, and I believe the knowledge and experience he brings will be a great benefit to both the players and the coaching staff.”
Dave Sarachan
In Chicago, Jesse brought ideas and a willingness to use his experience to challenge players and coaches in a way to make the collective better. This approach will serve him well as he transitions from player to coach.
Chris Armas
I have shared numerous games, training sessions, preseasons, and even Halloween costume parties over the course of many years with Jesse, and came to understand him as a person and a player. He had a great way with his teammates, knew how to be the life a party, and also know how to step on the field and lead by example. His career is one to be admired, one that saw steady growth until his very last game. I watched Jesse closely as a teammate and, in the last few years as an opponent, and I learned from him and appreciated him more than most did. Not only was he an incredible worker and reliable, he separated himself by being such a smart player and had a soccer brain that allowed him to see things early, and he made the players around him better. We were never on the same team in practice (I have the lumps to prove it) and I learned firsthand that he was hard to play against, always ready to compete. I wish Jesse and his wife Kim the sincerest congratulations on his wonderful career, so well deserved, and all the best moving forward.
Jim Curtin
I had privilege of playing with, and learning from Jesse for 7 years of my career. He’s a winner in life. By that I mean the championships on the field, the family he has, and respect he commands. You truly have to be in locker room, and at training everyday to fully appreciate what he brings to a team. For me, he has had a Hall of Fame career, and I’m proud to have shared the field with him.
