Wisconsin Guy Leads Leeds

A Wisconsin man is causing a commotion in Europe. And, we’re happy to report, it’s the good kind.

Jesse Marsch from Racine is the manager of the English Premier League club Leeds United, that is currently the surprise story of the season.

The team has started hot with two wins and one draw in their first three games, good enough to be tied for second place in the standings heading into the weekend.

If you’re new to global football, know that this is a pretty big deal. Leeds was just promoted to the Premier League in 2020 after 16 years of playing in a lower tier. They’re supposed to be more of a punching bag for the big boys.

Marsch was named manager in February after the previous head coach was fired. And that is arguably a bigger deal. “Yanks” aren’t typically taken seriously in the soccer world (Ted Lasso). In terms locals can understand, we’re are like a Whiskey Old Fashioned at a supper club — tolerated but not respected.

So, as the interminable wait for the more familiar style of football drags on, keep an eye on our local lad shaking up the international kind. Depending on when you read this, you may even be able to catch the crunch time of their match with Brighton this morning. Yay, Wisconsin guy!