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Haitians National Team wear tie proudly against Danbury United; Men's soccer team has dreams of World Cup

By David Bilmes

NEWS-TIMES CORRESPONDENT

DANBURY -- The Haitian national men's soccer team arrived late to its game Saturday against Danbury United due to traffic tieups on I-84. The American and Portuguese national anthems were played before the game began, but not Haiti's. Instead of playing before the anticipated sellout crowd of 1,500 fans, an estimated 350 spectators attended the match, enduring a ferocious thunderstorm midway through the game.

It's a long way from the World Cup. But there were no complaints from the Haitian players, who scored a late goal to tie Danbury United, 1-1, in an exhibition match. After all, when you survive growing up in Haiti, you can survive almost anything.

"We are against all odds, but I refuse to stop because I want to provide opportunities for the kids," said Joe Namphy, the Haitian Football Federation official in charge of the team when it plays abroad.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Eighty percent of its 8.3 million residents live below the abject poverty level. Nearly half of the country is illiterate, and only the presence of 8,000 United Nations troops holds its shaky government together.

"It's a troubled country," said Haiti's Wynn Belotte, a Canadian whose parents are Haitian, but has never been to Haiti himself.

Due to the poor conditions at home, the Haitians' training camp is based in Florida.

"There we have everything, we have lights," Namphy said. "In Haiti, we have no electricity. There's lots of violence . . . tons. Many times you try to call a practice, and only six players show up. The other guys can't get there because there's shooting in their neighborhoods."

That's why the Haitian national team found itself in less than world-class surroundings Saturday. But the players were grateful for the opportunity.

"We need to get as many games as we can in our players' legs," Namphy said. "We're really pleased to be here, and people are so nice in Connecticut."

While the game was just one stop on a seemingly endless road trip for Haiti, it was a memorable one for the members of Danbury United, one of the top teams in the semipro Connecticut Soccer League.

"It's a great experience," Danbury United's Tony Fernandes said. "I'll never forget it."

Jesse Canhao scored a second-half goal for Danbury United, after teammate Mauro DosSantos was robbed of several goals in the first-half by outstanding saves by Haiti goalie Dextra Wilctens. Canhao's goal came against backup goalie Gabriel Joaser.

Namphy said that as many as seven of the players on Haiti's roster Saturday night could be on the squad when it tries to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Haiti's only appearance in the World Cup came back in 1974. Haiti is currently ranked 123rd out of 197 countries in the FIFA world rankings.

No one knows better than Namphy the daunting odds against his country qualifying again

"It's next to impossible to finance a team," said Namphy, an economist by trade. "It wouldn't happen if not for my refusal to quit. I am pulling strings out of everywhere . . . from the Haitians abroad. Some of them are sending me checks, for $100, for $50, for $30, whatever they can afford."

Cheering their soccer team on is one of the few bright spots in the lives of Haiti's poverty-stricken people.

"It's their only entertainment," Namphy said. "It's the only sport they can hope to play on an international level."

Haiti's Stanley Crorrand said that's what motivates his team.

"That's why we are working very hard," he said.

Namphy, who said he put together Haiti's 1974 World Cup team, has faith that his efforts will pay off.

"If I didn't believe in it, I wouldn't do it," he said.