PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Derrick Etienne Jr. |
| Date of Birth | 25 November 1996 (Age: 29) |
| Place of Birth | Richmond, Virginia, USA |
| Nationality | Haitian (sporting) / American (birth) |
| Height | 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 77 kg / 170 lbs |
| Position | Winger / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #7 (Haiti), #11 (Toronto FC) |
| Current Club | Toronto FC |
| Previous Clubs | New York Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati (loan), Columbus Crew, Atlanta United |
| International Caps | 47+ |
| International Goals | 8 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2026 (with club options for 2027 and 2027-28) |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The substitution board lit up with the number seven. The 81st minute of Haiti’s World Cup clash against Brazil at Philadelphia’s stadium. For the hundreds gathered at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey, that moment was what the watch party had been building toward all day. Every touch of the ball was met with applause. Derrick Etienne Jr., the Paterson-raised winger, had become one of the few athletes from the city to compete on soccer’s biggest stage.
“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.”
Just days before, Etienne had been named to Haiti’s 26-man World Cup squad—the culmination of a dream that had been decades in the making for his family. “Words cannot describe it,” said his uncle Darrell Etienne. “I was born in ’74, the last time that Haiti qualified, the only time we qualified for the World Cup. So my whole life, we were just wondering every four years—are we gonna make it? No. Are we gonna make it?”
When he cut in on his right foot and launched a bar-down finish against Charlotte FC, a goal he described as “a great feeling,” Etienne was playing with the confidence of a man who knew his World Cup dream was about to become reality. “It’s every player’s dream to represent their country and go to the World Cup,” he said. “And then the fact that it’s in the United States. My games are close to home. It’s something that’s very special to me.”
Origins
Derrick Etienne Jr. was born on November 25, 1996, in Richmond, Virginia. He moved to Paterson, New Jersey, as a child and developed deep ties within the community before eventually building a professional career. “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,” he said.
His footballing lineage is extraordinary. He is the third member of his family to represent Haiti internationally. His father, Derrick Sr., also played for the Haiti national team, as did his uncle Darrell (Derrick Sr.’s twin brother). His sister Danielle, a midfielder, represented Haiti at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The Etienne family’s commitment to Haiti is a legacy of resilience and pride.
His professional journey began when he signed with the New York Red Bulls as a homegrown player in December 2015. He made his MLS debut for the Red Bulls in 2016 and went on to feature for FC Cincinnati on loan, Columbus Crew, Atlanta United, and Toronto FC. By the time of the World Cup, he was in his 11th MLS season.
The Forge
New York Red Bulls (2016-2019):
Etienne signed with the New York Red Bulls as a homegrown player in December 2015. Over four seasons, he made 79 appearances across all competitions, with six goals and four assists. He was part of the Red Bulls’ 2018 Supporters’ Shield-winning side. He also spent time on loan with FC Cincinnati in 2019, making five appearances.
Columbus Crew (2020-2022):
Etienne joined the Columbus Crew in February 2020. His time in Columbus was marked by trophy success. He scored the second goal in the Crew’s 3-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in the 2020 MLS Cup final, helping the club win their second league championship. He also helped Columbus down Mexico’s Cruz Azul to win the 2021 Campeones Cup. Across three seasons, he recorded 12 goals and 14 assists in 90 appearances.
Atlanta United (2022-2024):
Etienne signed with Atlanta United as a free agent in November 2022, agreeing to a contract through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027. He made 27 appearances across all competitions with two assists.
Toronto FC (2024-Present):
Etienne joined Toronto FC in an April 2024 trade that netted Atlanta United up to $375,000 in general allocation money. He has five goals and six assists in 55 appearances across all competitions with Toronto. On January 6, 2026, he signed a new contract through 2026 with club options for 2027 and 2027-28. He made $745,566 in salary last season. In the 2026 MLS season prior to the World Cup, he had made 11 appearances (6 starts) in 646 minutes, scoring 2 goals, including a world-class strike against Charlotte FC just days after his World Cup selection.
The International Stage
Haiti Debut and Early Years (2016-2019):
Etienne made his senior debut for Haiti on November 10, 2016, against French Guiana. He scored his first international goal on January 8, 2017, against Trinidad and Tobago. In the summer of 2019, he competed in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, helping Haiti win Group B after defeating Bermuda, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. After upsetting Canada 3-2 in the quarter-final, Haiti advanced to the semifinals of the Gold Cup for the first time in national team history.
World Cup Qualification (2025):
Etienne was a key member of the Haitian squad that qualified for the 2026 World Cup, the nation’s first appearance since 1974. Haiti topped Group C in the third round of CONCACAF qualifying, which also included Costa Rica and Honduras, securing their spot with a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua in November 2025. The qualification brought immense joy to Haiti—a country ravaged by gang violence and political crisis.
World Cup Campaign (2026):
Etienne was named to Haiti’s 26-man World Cup squad and wore the number 7 shirt. Haiti was drawn into Group C alongside Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco. In the match against Brazil on June 20, 2026, Etienne was introduced in the 81st minute, making his World Cup debut. His entry was met with deafening cheers at a watch party in Paterson, New Jersey, where hundreds had gathered to support one of their own. Haiti was eliminated from the tournament with three losses, but Etienne’s presence on the global stage was a moment of profound pride for the Paterson community.
International Record:
Etienne has earned over 47 caps for Haiti, scoring 8 goals. He has represented Haiti in four CONCACAF Nations Leagues, three CONCACAF Gold Cups, and, crucially, helped Les Grenadiers qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The Anatomy of His Game
Derrick Etienne is a veteran MLS winger defined by his pace, versatility, and attacking threat. He is a versatile attacker, able to play on the wing and further up front.
In Possession:
Etienne is a direct and quick winger with an eye for goal. His goal against Charlotte FC, cutting inside and hitting a bar-down finish, demonstrated his technical quality and confidence. His MLS career stats include 22 goals and 25 assists in 229 regular-season appearances. In the 2026 MLS season, his xG per 90 minutes stood at 0.33, placing him in the 81st percentile.
Out of Possession:
Etienne has demonstrated a willingness to contribute defensively, with the athleticism to press and track back.
Psychological Edge:
Etienne’s mental resilience is his defining quality. He is a player who has built a career through hard work and professionalism, and his pride in representing Haiti and Paterson is a driving force. His family legacy—father, uncle, and sister all representing Haiti—adds a layer of motivation. “I think it talks to the resilience of our culture, you know,” one fan said. “Local grown, and someone who has heart, desire and grit. He’s going after his dreams.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2026 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLS (Toronto FC) | 11 | 6 | 646 | 2 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | 12 | 6 | 655 | 2 | 0 | — |
TABLE B: Career (MLS)
| Season | Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-2019 | New York Red Bulls | 79 | 6 | 4 |
| 2019 | FC Cincinnati (loan) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020-2022 | Columbus Crew | 90 | 12 | 14 |
| 2022-2024 | Atlanta United | 27 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024-Present | Toronto FC | 55 | 5 | 6 |
| TOTAL | — | 256 | 23 | 26 |
TABLE C: International Record (2016-2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONCACAF Gold Cup 2019 | — | — | Semifinal |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 | — | — | — |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 | — | — | — |
| CONCACAF Nations League | — | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | Substitute vs Brazil |
| TOTAL | 47+ | 8 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Homegrown Contract | Signed with New York Red Bulls |
| 2016 | MLS Debut | New York Red Bulls |
| 2016 | Haiti Debut | vs French Guiana |
| 2017 | First International Goal | vs Trinidad and Tobago |
| 2018 | Supporters’ Shield Winner | New York Red Bulls |
| 2019 | Gold Cup Semifinal | Haiti’s first |
| 2020 | MLS Cup Winner | Columbus Crew |
| 2021 | Campeones Cup Winner | Columbus Crew |
| 2025 | World Cup Qualification | Haiti’s first since 1974 |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Haiti squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | Substitute vs Brazil |
The Present Tense
Derrick Etienne is 29 years old and in the prime of his career. He is Toronto FC’s winger, a Haitian international, and a World Cup participant.
The Toronto FC Story:
Etienne joined Toronto FC in April 2024. He signed a new contract on January 6, 2026, through 2026 with club options for 2027 and 2027-28. He made $745,566 in salary last season. In the 2026 MLS season, he made 11 appearances (6 starts), scoring 2 goals, including a world-class strike against Charlotte FC.
The World Cup Campaign:
Etienne was named to Haiti’s 26-man World Cup squad, wearing the number 7 shirt. He made his World Cup debut in the 81st minute of Haiti’s match against Brazil on June 20, 2026. Haiti was eliminated from the tournament with three losses.
International Record:
Etienne has earned over 47 caps for Haiti, scoring 8 goals. He has represented Haiti in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, CONCACAF Nations League, and the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Derrick Etienne is defined by his connection to the Paterson community and his family’s legacy. He moved to Paterson as a child and developed deep ties within the community. The community has reciprocated that love—a massive watch party was held at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson to cheer him on during Haiti’s World Cup match against Brazil.
His family legacy is extraordinary. His father Derrick Sr. and uncle Darrell both played for Haiti, and his sister Danielle represented Haiti at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. He gives back to the community through a soccer school that provides free training to Paterson youth.
The Verdict from the Camp
Derrick Etienne, on his World Cup debut:
“It’s a great feeling. I think it’s every player’s dream to represent their country and go to the World Cup. And then the fact that it’s in the United States. My games are close to home. It’s something that’s very special to me.”
Derrick Etienne, on Paterson's support:
“Paterson has shown me so much love, and it’s the main reason why I represent Jersey and Paterson so much.”
Darrell Etienne, his uncle:
“Words cannot describe it … I was born in ’74, the last time that Haiti qualified, the only time we qualified for the World Cup. So my whole life, we were just wondering every four years—are we gonna make it? No. Are we gonna make it?”
Robin Fraser, Toronto FC coach:
“It was a fantastic goal. He comes inside, hits a fantastic shot. And I thought Derrick played a really, really spirited game and gave us an important goal.”
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh:
“I hope the Brazilian fans understand we got to root for one of our own. He’s part of the home team.”
Where Next?
Derrick Etienne is 29 years old and in the prime of his career. He is established at Toronto FC under a contract through 2026 with options through 2028.
For Haiti, he is a veteran presence and a leader in the squad. His World Cup experience has added to his international pedigree. He will be a valuable squad member for future tournaments.
For Toronto FC, he is a versatile winger and an experienced MLS veteran. His contract situation provides stability, and his attacking contributions make him a valuable asset.
His career trajectory is remarkable—from the New York Red Bulls academy to MLS Cup winner, from the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals to the World Cup stage. He has earned his place through hard work, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to his heritage and community.
The boy from Paterson who grew up playing on local fields has become an MLS champion, a Haitian international, and a World Cup participant. Derrick Etienne Jr.’s journey is a story of family, community, and the pursuit of excellence on football’s greatest stage.
