Alan Cawley criticized Canada head coach Jesse Marsch for his post-match reaction following their 6-0 World Cup win over Qatar in Vancouver.
Cawley's issue was not with the celebration itself, but the tone, given Qatar finished the match with just nine men.
While he acknowledged the result was historic for Canada, Cawley felt more restraint would have been appropriate.
Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu via Getty Images
Speaking in a TSN clip , former Irish soccer player Alan Cawley questioned the way Marsch handled Canada's win over Qatar.
Canada had just claimed their first men's World Cup victory, with Jonathan David scoring a hat trick in a dominant performance. Cawley, though, felt the reaction was over the top.
"Have a bit of class and decorum of what you've just beaten. And in terms of, it's only the second group game of the tournament. So just put a lid on it. Cool the jets a little bit."
Cawley also drew a comparison to Marsch's time at Leeds United , suggesting this was not a new pattern of behavior.
"He's doing a rallying call every press conference. He does. It was the same at Leeds. It was the same everywhere. That's the way he carries on, but it's nonsense. It's absolute nonsense."
To some, Marsch's public calls for belief and unity can help shape identity. In this case, Cawley saw it as excessive given the circumstances.
He did give credit to Marsch for the result, but did not hold back on his wider point. "Even if you listen to some of the stuff that's coming out of his mouth, it's ridiculous. So in fairness, as I said, I'm praising him on one hand, but just have a bit of class."
Despite the criticism, there is no denying the progress Canada have made under Marsch.
The win put them top of Group B on goal difference, with four points from two matches and seven goals scored. Only Switzerland remain in the group stage.
Marsch has brought energy and aggression to Canada's approach, and that identity was clear in the way they dismantled Qatar, even if the opposition was weakened.
Cawley's comments reflect a divide in how Marsch is viewed. For some, his passion drives the team forward. For others, it can feel performative.
The next match could shift the conversation. Another win would back Marsch's methods. A slip-up might give critics like Cawley more to talk about.
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