Jesse Marsch considered coaching at TST 2024 with Sebastian Giovinco, Jimmy Conrad before accepting Canada job

Conrad, who is a podcast host for CBS Sports Network, co-hosted with Marsch on the Call it What you Want show prior to the American accepting the Canada job.

Speaking to media at TST ahead of kicking off the tournament with his squad Kwik Goal FC, Conrad revealed that he asked Marsch, his longtime friend, to be the coach of his squad earlier this year - although he believes that as offers rolled in for the ex-Leeds United coach, TST was in the back of his mind.

“So before he left to take the Canadian job, we asked him to coach here, our team,” Conrad said. ”He was thinking about it, but I think he started to get hot and heavy with some offers, whether it was national team or at the club level.”

After being sacked by Leeds United in February 2023, Marsch has been a free agent working with CBS Sports as a studio analyst, podcast host and freelance reporter.

The American has been offered jobs across Europe, from England to Italy - and even interviewed with the USMNT last summer in between Gregg Berhalter's stints as manager.

Now he is focusing on Copa America, as well as the path to co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Les Rogues.

"I think he’s gonna do great,' said Conrad of Marsch's appointment to the national team role in Canada. 'I think [Marsch] knows what he’s walking into, I think he’s a fantastic human and that will show in spades.

"Sometimes that's what you want as coach, to really test your group to see what you're really working with. Let's face it he's in there for World Cup.

"So this month poses such an opportunity to see what your players are up to against the world's elite."

Marsch and Canada kick off preparations for Copa America this month with an international camp. They have friendlies against the Netherlands and France as preludes to competing in Copa America.

The Soccer Tournament, meanwhile, kicks off this week in Cary, N.C.