Switchbacks Lacroix set to play for Haiti in World Cup
Watch previous coverage above: Switchbacks Lacroix joining Haiti national team for World Cup
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — When the World Cup kicks off in North America for the first time in 32 years, one soccer player who plays in southern Colorado will be among them, playing for the country in which his parents are from.
“It’s a dream come true really, and I’m just looking forward to the experience,” said Switchbacks defender Duke Lacroix.
Even though Lacroix was born in New Jersey, he will suit up for the nation in which his roots originate. He will also make history as Haiti will be appearing in the World Cup for the first time in 52 years. Lacroix, who was first called up for Haiti in 2024, doesn’t look at this international opportunity any differently than the normal grind of USL Championship soccer.
“It was kind of similar to playing for your club, you know, people from different areas,” Lacroix said. “But at the end of the day, we have a cultural connection that kind of links all of us, where, you know, a lot of times you’re coming from a lot of different areas for your club, where we have guys here in Colorado Springs who are from all over the world.”
Either way, he will hold the Switchbacks flag on the world stage as 48 nations will come together this summer to compete for soccer’s top prize. But he remembers the lessons and experience he’s gained from playing with the Switchbacks and plans to use it to his advantage in the World Cup.
“It’s a reason why I’m at the tournament,” Lacroix said. “Because of the opportunities that I have here, the stage I’m able to perform here in Colorado Springs.”
But Lacroix will be preparing with Haiti near a place that shaped him as a player years ago.
“This is a full circle moment for me, being able to go back and playing near Philadelphia, where actually training at Penn’s campus, where I went to school,” Lacroix said.
The stars are aligning as family and friends will be close by. Lacroix and Haiti will play their first friendly against New Zealand on Tuesday evening at 6:00 P.M. Mountain Time at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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