Derrick Etienne Jr. of Haiti cheered at World Cup watch party v Brazil
Updated June 21, 2026, 5:52 p.m. ET
PATERSON — When Derrick Etienne Jr.’s number appeared on the substitution board in the 81st minute of Haiti’s FIFA World Cup match against Brazil, cheers erupted throughout Hinchliffe Stadium.
For the several hundred gathered in the city on Friday night, that moment was what the watch party had been building toward all day.
The Paterson-raised winger entered the match for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde late in Haiti’s group-stage contest against Brazil, becoming one of the few athletes from the city to compete in the world tournament.
Every touch of the ball was met with applause at the Hinchliffe watch party as Etienne immediately brought energy and an attacking threat to Haiti’s front line. The June 19 game was played in Philadelphia.
Many fans came to Hinchliffe for a personal reason: to watch one of Paterson’s own represent Haiti against one of the world’s most recognizable soccer nations.
People wearing Haiti and other national team jerseys were elated as Etienne entered the match.
“It’s an amazing atmosphere,” said Carlos Ramirez, who wore a Brazil jersey. “To be here for free and recognize an amazing achievement is special.”
Another fan, Yury Meza, said the event offered something television could not.
“You don’t have to be a fan of that country,” Meza said. “It’s important to be here with everyone and celebrate.”
A 45-year-old man from Haiti, who declined to give his name, wore his homeland’s soccer jersey.
“We all love Etienne,” he said. “Even if he lost the ball, having one of our own in this position is more than enough.”
‘Paterson has shown me so much love’
In an interview before the scheduled watch party, the player expressed appreciation for the fan support.
“It’s surreal to be recognized at such a historic field,” Etienne said. “Paterson has shown me so much love, and it’s the main reason why I represent Jersey and Paterson so much.”
Before kickoff, fans filed into Hinchliffe Stadium wearing Haitian jerseys, waving flags and taking photos in front of signs touting the local soccer star. When his face appeared on the stadium’s video board, the crowd erupted.
Etienne said the support he continues to receive from Paterson is something he never expected.
“I just wanted to play soccer. I just wanted to score goals and win trophies,” Etienne said. “To know I have people from back home supporting me is an amazing feeling!”
Although born in Virginia, Etienne moved to Paterson as a child and developed deep ties within the community before eventually building a professional career that included stops throughout Major League Soccer and appearances with Haiti’s national team.
“Being able to move to Paterson and build so many relationships with the community and people in general from school days, high school, to all the connections I’ve made, there’s always been love there,” Etienne said.
Big reactions from fans
The atmosphere at Hinchliffe through the match reflected more than just support for Haiti or Brazil. Families gathered along the concourse, children kicked soccer balls on the stadium grounds, and fans from different backgrounds exchanged cheers and friendly banter throughout the match. Every dangerous Haiti attack drew a reaction from the crowd, but nothing generated a louder response than Etienne’s introduction.
“Whenever Etienne touched the ball, you could hear how invested the crowd got,” Ramirez said. “We all wanted him to score!”
Mayor Andre Sayegh added to the crowd’s investment in Etienne’s introduction.
“We had an incredible crowd tonight,” Sayegh said. “Regardless of who you wanted to win, we all smiled seeing him get subbed on.”
For organizers, moments like that were exactly what the event was designed to create.
Passport to Paterson co-founder Farhanna Sayegh said the initiative was designed to bring the World Cup experience to residents who may never have a chance to attend a match in person, while recognizing the diverse cultures that make up Paterson.
“We saw an opportunity to re-create that excitement through large-scale community watch parties where everyone can come together, celebrate and experience the energy of the tournament,” Paterson’s first lady said.
That energy was evident throughout the evening, as supporters filled the stands, posed for photos, waved national flags and embraced the communal atmosphere that often accompanies the world’s biggest sporting event.
“Young people feed off energy and shared experiences,” Farhanna Sayegh said. “Watching a game at home is one thing, but being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of people cheering together creates a completely different feeling.”
New York Cosmos CEO Erik Stover said creating those shared experiences is one of the reasons the organization partnered with community leaders to host World Cup events at Hinchliffe Stadium.
“Football has always been and always will be about people,” Stover said. “It’s the people’s game. We’re in a hyper-politicized climate right now where there’s so much negativity, and to put that aside to celebrate football and community is exactly what we want to encourage in Paterson.”
As the crowd filtered out of Hinchliffe Stadium after Brazil’s victory, conversations centered less on the final score and more on the brief but memorable appearance of Paterson’s own Derrick Etienne Jr. on soccer’s biggest stage.