\u201cThis moment holds incredible weight, incredible history and incredible pride for the Haitian diaspora,\u201d Louijeune, Boston\u2019s first Haitian-American councilor and former council president, said in an interview with The Associated Press.<\/p>\n
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 4% of Boston\u2019s approximately 670,000 citizens are Haitians. That gives Massachusetts\u2019 largest city the second largest per capita Haitian population in the country. About 45,000 of Massachusetts\u2019 residents are here under temporary protective status \u2014 the third-largest Haitian group in the country.<\/p>\n
Political strife in Haiti also affected the national soccer squad\u2019s road to make the 48-team tournament.<\/p>\n
For the first time in 52 years, Haiti played none of its qualifying matches on its home soil because of internal political instability. It won its final World Cup qualifying match 2-0 against Nicaragua on Nov. 18. That date coincided with the anniversary of Haiti\u2019s victory over France in the final battle of the Haitian Revolution in 1803.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a story of tremendous depth for the Haitian community, and we\u2019re so proud that they\u2019re playing their first match here in Boston,\u201d Louijeune said.<\/p>\n
The team\u2019s opening match in Foxborough also falls just weeks after last month\u2019s 24 Haitian Unity Parade was held in Boston\u2019s Mattapan neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Louijeune helped organize a group of about 300 Haitian fans who gathered Saturday morning for a march from Boston\u2019s famed Copley Square to Boston Common.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn difficult moments, we have a president who has been attacking the Haitian community during (President Donald) Trump 1.0 and now 2.0, where temporary protected status is under attack, a legal status for so many of our Haitian residents,\u201d Louijeune said. \u201cSo we are under a lot of pressure, a lot of stress, a lot of heartache. But one thing that, you know, Haitian Flag Day and the Haitian story is important to remember is \u2026 Haiti has always punched above its weight. Even these moments of extreme, extreme difficulty, we believe that a better Haiti is possible because of what our ancestors have shown us.\u201d<\/p>\n
That spirit and pride was on display in and outside Gillette Stadium prior to the match against Scotland with fans draped in the team\u2019s blue, red and white.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a dream come true,\u201d said Serge Duffaut, who is from Haiti but now lives in Boston and was wearing a blue team jersey and holding a Haitian flag.<\/p>\n
Words escaped 48-year-old Fredo Ozil, who was born in Haiti but now lives in in Avon, Massachusetts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t even tell, I can\u2019t even express myself,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s the best thing that happened ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ozil said the uncertainty for some his fellow Haitians hasn\u2019t diminished his excitement to watch them compete on the world stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always the same. Nothing changes for Haitian people. It is what it is,\u201d Ozil said. \u201cOnly God can do something for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
And should he witness Haiti earn its first-ever World Cup point with a draw or a victory?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be the maximum,\u201d Ozil said. \u201cThat\u2019s the best we can get. No matter what happens, it\u2019s going to be a fun day.\u201d<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP freelance writer Ken Powtak contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
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