Overview:
Haitian winger Don Deedson Louicius is at a defining level in his profession. After a breakout season in Denmark, he’s preventing for taking part in time with FC Dallas and to maintain his beginning place on Haiti’s nationwide workforce, a check that might form his future.
At 8:30 a.m. on a weekday in 2018, whereas most excessive schoolers in Atlanta sat by way of first interval, 17-year-old Don Deedson Louicius was sprinting down a soccer discipline, sweat beading on his brow and a ball glued to his left foot.
Decided to turn into knowledgeable and in consent together with his guardians and coach, Louicius took night courses throughout his junior and senior years so he may practice thrice a day. He missed the everyday highschool expertise — no events, no hangouts, simply drills and matches.
“Soccer was my life,” Louicius stated in an interview with The Haitian Instances. “In fact, it was value it. I don’t remorse something.”
Now 24, the Haitian proper winger finds himself at a defining second. After shining in Denmark — the place he led Odense Boldklub in scoring through the 2023–24 season — Louicius joined U.S. Main League Soccer (MLS) facet FC Dallas this summer season switch window. However to this point, his debut within the MLS has been rocky: in three months, he’s performed simply 21 minutes.
A make-or-break second for a quiet competitor
Louicius’ future depends upon how rapidly he adapts to Dallas’ system and whether or not he can maintain his beginning place on Haiti’s nationwide workforce, the place competitors is rising fierce.
“This league takes a little bit time to determine,” stated Dallas coach Eric Quill. “His one-on-one capability actually stands out, his working in behind with out the ball and the timing of runs is at a very excessive stage. His capability is one thing that takes guys getting used to, so the timing by which his teammates discover him and him working appropriately in area is forming properly proper now.”
For Haiti, Louicius is named an explosive presence on the wing however his beginning place is not assured as a result of the workforce now boasts gamers from Europe’s prime leagues. At first, English Premier League midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde claimed Louicius’ No. 10 jersey, then French Ligue 1 winger Josué Casimir began over him and carried out effectively in a World Cup qualifier in opposition to Nicaragua on Oct. 9, creating the primary purpose of a 3-0 victory.
Louicius scored a tap-in after coming off the bench, displaying that he’s nonetheless a invaluable piece for Les Grenadiers throughout their World Cup quest.
“Our dream is to play within the World Cup,” he stated. “We simply need to take each sport one after the other and be prepared.”
Louicius grew up in Tabarre 23, Port-au-Prince, the son of a police officer and a police academy personnel. His father, who additionally coached youth soccer, launched him to the game as quickly as he may stroll.
“I don’t like loopy occasions. I identical to to be on the soccer discipline.”
don Deedson Louicius, Haitian soccer participant
His dad and mom’ strict guidelines saved him residence more often than not — a routine that formed his reserved persona.
“I don’t like loopy occasions,” Louicius stated. “I identical to to be on the soccer discipline. After observe, I’m residence speaking to my household.”
That introverted nature, sports activities analyst Caleb Jephté Pierre stated, could clarify his sluggish adjustment to new environments.
“You are able to do all the pieces the coach says, however in the event you don’t click on with the opposite guys, there won’t be chemistry,” Pierre stated. “So if somebody is an excessive introvert, it would take time for him to combine right into a workforce.”
From Tabarre to Atlanta, proving himself with Workforce Haiti
Louicius’ expertise was evident early. At age 11, he helped Sodipal, a Haitian membership, win a one-day match in Paris, tallying seven targets in 4 video games. By 12, he joined Haiti’s nationwide youth academy in Croix-des-Bouquets earlier than transferring to Atlanta at 14 to stay with a bunch household.
At first, communication was laborious — he used Google Translate to speak to his guardians. However he rapidly realized English and excelled at Centennial Excessive College, scoring 40 targets as a freshman earlier than becoming a member of the Kalonji Soccer Academy and later Atlanta United FC’s youth system.
A scout noticed him at 18, resulting in his first professional contract with Hobro IK in Denmark. The transition was powerful — the chilly climate, lengthy passes, and cultural isolation examined him — however his persistence paid off.
Louicius debuted for Haiti in 2021 however didn’t get constant minutes till 2023. Annoyed after being benched in opposition to Cuba, he responded by scoring twice within the first quarter-hour in opposition to Jamaica in a Nations League match.
Since then, he’s earned 25 caps with 9 targets and eight assists. Haitians gamers throughout the globe reward his velocity and creativity.
“He’s so quick with the ball and he’s very technical,” stated Rapha Intervil, a winger with Mount Pleasant FA in Jamaica. “He’s a participant I’d like to play with.”
Nonetheless, analysts say he should sharpen his ending. In six skilled seasons, Louicius has scored 43 targets in 159 video games — strong however not elite.
“He helps create the motion however when he has the prospect to attain he doesn’t,” Pierre stated. “For the standard of participant he’s, if he can end, he can be at a better stage.”
Quiet however explosive, Don Deedson Louicius continues to be studying to stability his quiet nature with the stress of massive phases — from Tabarre to Atlanta, from a dreamer to knowledgeable preventing to raise his sport. His subsequent few months may decide whether or not he breaks by way of or fades into the background.