06/02/26 05:29:00
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06/02 17:28 CDT US grants visa to Haitian soccer player to join team for World
Cup
US grants visa to Haitian soccer player to join team for World Cup
By PIERRE-RICHARD LUXAMA and DANICA COTO
Associated Press
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) --- The U.S. government has given a visa to
Woodensky Pierre, the only member of Haiti's national soccer team who lives in
the Caribbean country, to travel and participate in the World Cup, an official
said Tuesday.
Thecieux Jeanty, Haiti's soccer federation spokesperson, told The Associated
Press that Pierre was traveling to Florida on Tuesday.
"It was a great moment for him, a moment of happiness," he said.
Supporters gathered around Pierre as he arrived at the airport in
Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, telling the AP that he had "a happy heart."
Airport workers sought to have photos with him, while his mother hugged him
several times before he left.
Among the fans was Guy Ernst Phillipe, who hugged Pierre: "We could not be any
more proud. ... I'm touching history right now."
He also had a personal message for Pierre: "At least 10 goals," he said as both
of them laughed.
Pierre's teammates arrived in Florida last week to start preparing for the
World Cup. It is the second time that Haiti has qualified. The last time it
appeared on soccer's biggest stage was more than half a century ago.
Pierre had been training with local players in an upscale area of
Port-au-Prince as he awaited the visa. The team's stadium in Haiti's capital
was considered too dangerous, so Haiti was forced to play its "home" World Cup
qualifiers in Curaao.
Pierre is from Cite Soleil, a seaside neighborhood that has long struggled with
hunger, massacres and gang violence. It is located in western Port-au-Prince,
which is 70% controlled by gangs.
Haiti will play World Cup warmup matches against New Zealand on Tuesday and
Peru on Friday.
Haiti opens World Cup play on June 13 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, against
Scotland, then plays five-time champion Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia and
Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta.
___
Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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