Haiti’s shaky 5-3 win over Aruba highlights backup goalkeeper dilemma

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Haiti’s men’s soccer team managed a 5-3 win against Aruba in the CONCACAF Nations League on Monday. Still, the result was far from reassuring, with Aruba leading the Haitian national team twice in the first half of the game. 

Despite the victory, the match underscored a significant issue: Haiti’s lack of a reliable backup goalkeeper. With starter Johny Placide absent, a rare day off for the Les Grenadiers captain, backup keepers Garissone Innocent and Alexandre Pierre took turns in goal and made critical errors that allowed Aruba, ranked 194th by FIFA, to score three avoidable goals.

Though Haiti’s offense bailed them out by overcoming a 2-1 deficit to secure the win, the defensive frailties, particularly in goal, exposed a glaring weakness the team must address as it eyes World Cup qualification. Both Innocent and Pierre, who have struggled for consistent playing time at the club level, made costly mistakes, casting doubt on their ability to step up when needed.

It was almost the same scenario on Oct. 11, during the two teams’ first match of a two-game series, when Aruba led Haiti 1-0 (6’). The Haitians later tied 1-1 with the Arubans through Frantzdy Pierrot’s goal in the 31st minute. In the end, however, Les Grenadiers won 1-3 after the team’s top goal scorer Duckens Nazon added a brace. 

Backup goalkeeper dilemma

Haiti’s goalkeeping issues have been brewing for some time, with Placide at the twilight of his career. Neither Innocent, who hasn’t played a full club match since November 2021— and that was at the amateur level with Vannes OC in France’s fifth division, according to Transfer Markt— nor Pierre, who has only played one game this season for French club FC Sochaux-Montbéliard’s second team, showed the confidence or sharpness required at this level. Their lack of regular playing time led to errors that could have been disastrous had Haiti’s attack not been in fine form.

Innocent, currently on the roster of K.A.S. Eupen in Belgium’s top division, has yet to earn significant minutes. His rustiness was evident from the start. Just 14 minutes into the game, he conceded a penalty after a poor first touch and reckless slide tackle on Jayden Kruydenhof, which Aruba converted. Six minutes later, Innocent made another crucial error, misjudging a free-kick, slipping as he tried to recover, and allowing the ball to roll into the net.

Innocent was then substituted after suffering a knee injury during the action that led to the Arubans’ second goal. Pierre was brought in as a sub. Despite being slightly more composed, he also faltered. In the 78th minute, Pierre misjudged a free kick, leaving Kruydenhof space to fire a half-volley into the net.

The broader issue: no reliable backup

Haiti’s goalkeeper crisis is not new. Placide, now 36 years old, is nearing the end of his career, but no clear successor has been developed. For many years, the Haitian Soccer Federation (FHF, its French acronym) has been unable to find a consistent and in-form backup, putting the team at serious risk whenever Placide is unavailable.

In June 2021, during a World Cup qualifier against Canada, backup keeper Josué Duverger’s blunder—miss-kicking a back pass that led to a goal—was a key reason Haiti lost 3-0, knocking them out of the qualifiers. The pattern continues, with Haiti relying on backups who lack confidence and playing time.

Local talent offers hope

Haiti’s reliance on overseas players who aren’t earning regular minutes leaves the door open for local talent. Just two weeks ago, Gooly Elien, goalkeeper for Real Hope Football Academy, was named to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup Best XI after conceding only two goals in four games. 

However, local players like Elien face travel and administrative barriers that often prevent them from being called up to the national team. The last time a local player made Haiti’s senior team roster was in September 2023.

If the FHF can resolve these issues, local goalkeepers who consistently play in the Haitian League could provide the much-needed depth. Elien, for instance, could be a viable option as the 2024-25 Haitian League season kicks off later this month.

Looking ahead

Haiti’s next CONCACAF Nations League match is against Sint Maarten on Nov. 15. Although Sint Maarten is a weaker opponent on paper, given the defensive lapses against Aruba, a win is not guaranteed without a reliable goalkeeper. Placide’s experience and consistency remain key, but the need for a dependable backup has never been more urgent as Haiti pushes for World Cup qualification.

With Placide approaching retirement and no solid alternatives yet in place, many observers agree Haiti must either find a solution overseas or look locally for talent to step up in crucial moments. Until then, they concede, Haiti’s World Cup hopes rest on a precarious foundation.

The post Haiti’s shaky 5-3 win over Aruba highlights backup goalkeeper dilemma appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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Haiti’s shaky 5-3 win over Aruba highlights backup goalkeeper dilemma was first posted on October 16, 2024 at 10:27 am.