COLORADO SPRINGS — Making history is what Markhus “Duke” Lacroix does. 

He helped the Switchbacks capture their first USL Championship trophy in 2024. 

Now, his name will be one Haitian soccer fans will remember for generations. 

The 32-year-old defender has the opportunity of a lifetime when he represents Haiti in a World Cup that starts Thursday. 

The last time “Les Grenadiers” played for the Cup was in 1974. 

“The response is overwhelming. There’s a whole lot of support; Haitians are everywhere,” Lacroix said. “This hasn’t happened in a generation, essentially.”

Lacroix, who has been a member of the Haitian national team since 2023, helped make history in November when Haiti qualified for its second World Cup with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua to claim first place in Group C of the CONCACAF qualifiers. 

Due to gang activity, according to media reports, the Grenadiers didn’t play a single game in their country and instead played home matches abroad, including in Curaçao where they won their group. 

“It was a long process. We had the World Cup circled on the calendar,” Lacroix said. “These last rounds of qualifiers, unfortunately, we didn’t play at home … but we weren’t really thinking about that. At the time, it was like, ‘Hey let’s try to take in this moment, let’s try to win this moment,’ and we had amazing support from the Haitian fans from the entire process, throughout the entire qualification, even though we weren’t at home.”

Haiti’s keen focus on the moment mirrors Lacroix’s journey to the pros and the international stage. 

Born in New Egypt, N.J., Lacroix didn’t start out with grandiose dreams of playing for Haiti in the World Cup or even playing professionally. He didn’t follow the Haitian team religiously but could name a few players of note over the years, like James Marcelin, Alex Christian, who plays the same left back position, and Mechack Jérôme.

He grew up in a Creole-speaking household with good food and a good family, especially a dad and a brother who shared their passion for the beautiful game with him. 

“You don’t really know something special’s happening until you’re getting really close to that moment,” Lacroix said. “My dad put a soccer ball at my feet. He played, as well, at the collegiate level. My brother played, older brother, so walking and following in their footsteps … watching them, emulating them, learning from them was my first introduction to the sport.

“And then over time, things progressed, you start rec (recreation leagues), you play a travel team, go to college and you’re always hungry, you’re always trying, in any sport, you’re trying to be the best version of yourself. You don’t know quite where that’s going to end up but you have hopes, dreams and goals and this is definitely a fulfillment of that dream for sure.”

That daily battle to improve is something Lacroix takes seriously and demands — not only of himself, but of his teammates around him.

“You instantly know whether he’s in the (training) session or not with his voice,” Switchbacks coach Alan McCann said. “Whether it’s the technical at the start when they’re coming out of warmups. If it’s not to the level, you hear from Duke. If it’s of the level, you hear from Duke. … (He) can literally snap the group back in with his voice.”

Lacroix’s leadership and character are why McCann and the Switchbacks are overjoyed to see him make club history as the first Switchbacks player to compete in a World Cup. 

Lacroix has already made waves with the World Cup team, scoring in a friendly against New Zealand in early June. He unleashed a shot from just outside the 18-yard-box that curved inside the far post in the 87th minute, capping off a 4-0 win for the Grenadiers. 

Haiti played another friendly against Peru before entering Group C of the World Cup alongside Brazil, Morocco and Scotland. 

Lacroix embraces the opportunity to showcase his skill against the best players in the world, knowing he has the support of Haiti and the Colorado Springs community. But the pride of those who shared the game with him in the beginning makes the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that much more special. 

“That’s the most unique experience for me. My family they’re the people who I’m closest with,” he said. “The people who knew me before I even started pro, my parents changed my diapers. They know me probably better than anyone.”

“But to see the pride that they have to represent the national team, represent their culture, represent the people, to see that shift in what it means for them is really special. I take extra pride in that, how much more meaningful it is to my family. I have a great community here in Colorado Springs; I absolutely love it. But it’s a little different when it hits that much closer to home when the team I’m playing for has a direct connection to my family.”