"We've had our players head-butted, we've had racial slurs thrown at our players live and through social media... We've been treated like second-class citizens."

"My mind is wrapped totally around giving our team a chance to not just have a special experience, but a real special victory," Marsch told a press conference.

"We're going to face the best team in the world in the semi-finals. We're excited about it," Marsch said after Friday's win.

"I've played against him [Messi], coached against him a few times and had some successes, but he always finds ways to make a difference because his quality is so amazing. So, that'll be the challenge for us," said Canada head coach Jesse Marsch.

Leeds United continued to impress under American coach Jesse Marsch after a relentless display earned them a 3-0 Premier League victory over Chelsea, who finished with 10 men, on Sunday.