Overview:
Haiti males’s soccer left again Markhus ‘Duke’ Lacroix continued his robust kind with Colorado Switchbacks within the United Soccer League (USL), aiding in a 3-3 draw days simply 5 days after organising along with his heroic backheel move to Duckens Nazon for Haiti within the 2026 World Cup qualifying match in opposition to Costa Rica. Lacroix’s imaginative and prescient, passing and ball management stood out once more for his membership, qualities Haiti hopes will bolster its World Cup qualification marketing campaign.
5 days after delivering a blinding backheel help for Duckens Nazon in Haiti’s 3-3 World Cup qualifier in opposition to Costa Rica, Markhus “Duke” Lacroix carried that momentum into his membership play. The 31-year-old defender arrange a objective in Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s 3-3 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Sept. 13 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Lacroix, enjoying in midfield, minimize previous an incoming defender and threaded a exact move by site visitors to Juan Tejada, who turned and scored within the thirty second minute to chop Tampa’s result in 3-2.
Not one, however two objectives for @JuanDavidTejada in simply 32 minutes for @SwitchbacksFC 😳 pic.twitter.com/Ef5xOgTWT1
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) September 14, 2025
Like his nationwide staff help, Lacroix confirmed imaginative and prescient, fast decision-making and sharp brief passing — qualities that Haiti’s squad will want because it chases a World Cup berth for over 50 years. Not like lots of Haiti’s current fullbacks, recognized primarily for bombing up the wings and crossing, Lacroix brings a playmaking aptitude extra harking back to Brazilian nice Dani Alves. He often combines with teammates in tight areas and ventures into the field to ship the ultimate ball.
However Lacroix’s model comes with dangers. His attacking mindset typically leaves gaps in protection. Towards Tampa, whereas deployed at heart again, he was caught out of place within the eighth minute, permitting ahead Paul Marie to dribble previous him and rating.
Paul Marie wastes no time placing us on 🔝!#TBRvCOS pic.twitter.com/2AYz5MPtib
— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) September 13, 2025
Although harmful going ahead, Lacroix should enhance his defensive positioning and restoration runs to cement a beginning function with Haiti. Limiting his ahead bursts might steadiness his sport.
Lacroix joined the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in January 2022 after three seasons with Charlotte Independence, additionally within the USL Championship. Earlier than that, he performed within the NASL and USL with Indy Eleven and Reno 1868, constructing a popularity as one of many league’s quickest and most versatile fullbacks. Now in his fourth season with Colorado, he has grow to be a veteran presence on the again line.
Colorado at the moment sits eighth within the United Soccer League (USL, United States’ Second Division) Championship’s Western Convention with an 8W-8D-7L report — the final playoff spot. Saturday’s help was Lacroix’s first of the 2025 season in 15 matches. He has but to attain.
For Haiti, Lacroix—born in New Jersey to Haitian dad and mom—has collected two objectives and one help in 10 appearances. He first known as up the nationwide staff in June 2023, however didn’t be a part of till a yr later—June 2024— and has since grow to be a daily. Nonetheless, he faces competitors at left again from Martin Expérience, who performs in France’s Ligue 2 with AS Nancy Lorraine. Expérience, sidelined with harm throughout September’s qualifiers, is extra balanced defensively and will reclaim the place as soon as wholesome.
For now, Lacroix’s creativity and composure on the ball proceed to offer Haiti new choices — so long as his defensive lapses don’t outweigh his offensive spark.