Derrick Etienne


Derrick Etienne Jr. is a Haitian-American footballer who currently plays for Columbus Crew SC in Major League Soccer. He also plays internationally for the Haiti national team. Born in Richmond, Virginia and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Etienne is the son of former Haitian International and Long Island Rough Riders forward Derrick Etienne and the older brother of Haitian International midfielder Danielle Etienne.

Early career

High school

Etienne was born in Virginia before moving to Paterson, New Jersey where he spent his childhood. He attended high school at Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, New Jersey, playing varsity soccer for the Bulldogs in his freshman year with 6 goals and 9 assists. He helped lead the team to the state Vo-Tech tournament and the Big North Conference Liberty division titles. Etienne ended his high school playing career to focus on the Red Bulls Academy following the season.

College career

Etienne spent his youth club career with the New York Red Bulls Academy. Etienne joined the academy in 2009 at the U-14 level at age 12. While being one of the youngest players on the team, Etienne progressed and stood out at the U14, U15, U16, and U18 levels before signing a letter of intent to play college soccer at the University of Virginia. Despite appearing for NYRB II, Etienne was able to maintain his college eligibility and on August 29, 2015, he made his collegiate debut for the Cavaliers in a 1–0 victory over UNC Charlotte. On September 21, 2015, Etienne scored his first collegiate goal in a 1–0 victory over his father's alma mater, VCU. Later that same year, Etienne chose not to complete his degree at Virginia, and signed a pro contract.

Professional

New York Red Bulls

On March 28, 2015, Etienne made his professional debut for USL affiliate club New York Red Bulls II in a 0–0 draw against the Rochester Rhinos. On May 24, 2015 Etienne scored his first professional goal and assisted on another, helping New York to a 3–2 victory over FC Montreal. For this performance Etienne was named to the USL team of the Week. On May 30, 2015 Etienne scored his second professional goal for New York in a 4–2 loss to his father's former club, Richmond Kickers. On June 20, 2015 Etienne scored for New York in a 2–0 victory over Louisville City FC.
On December 21, 2015, Etienne signed a Homegrown Contract with the New York Red Bulls, forgoing his remaining NCAA eligibility. Etienne was loaned back to Red Bulls II in 2016 for their home opener on March 26. On April 10, 2016 Etienne scored his first goal of the season, helping New York Red Bulls II to a 4–0 victory over Bethlehem Steel FC. On May 7, 2016 Etienne scored his second goal of the season in 3–1 victory over Pittsburgh Riverhounds. On October 23, 2016 Etienne opened the scoring for New York and also recorded an assist in a 5–1 victory over Swope Park Rangers in the 2016 USL Cup Final.
On May 28, 2017, Etienne scored his first goal of the season for New York Red Bulls II, scoring the game winner on a free kick in a 2–1 victory over Charleston Battery. On July 19, 2017, Etienne recorded his first assist for the first team finding Daniel Royer as he scored New York's fourth goal of the day in a 5–1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes.
On March 31, 2018 Etienne scored his first goal for the New York Red Bulls in a 4–3 loss to Orlando City SC. On May 5, 2018, Etienne scored the last goal for New York in a 4–0 derby victory over New York City FC. The following week, on May 12 Etienne scored New York's second goal in a 2–1 victory over Colorado Rapids. On October 28, 2018, Etienne scored the game-winning goal as the Red Bulls clinched their third Supporters Shield in a 1–0 win over Orlando City SC.
On August 8, 2019, Etienne was loaned to MLS side FC Cincinnati for the remainder of the 2019 season, where he scored zero goals in five appearances.
Etienne was released by New York at the end of their 2019 season.

Columbus Crew

Following his release from New York Red Bulls, Etienne moved to Columbus Crew SC on February 4, 2020.

International career

Though born and raised in the United States, Etienne chose to represent Haiti in international competition, becoming the third member of his family to do so after his father and uncle. He was a member of the Haiti Under-17 team that competed in the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Panama as well as the Haiti Under-20 team that competed in the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Jamaica. Currently he is a member of Haiti's U-23 national team.
On November 9, 2016, he made his first senior team appearance for Haiti, coming on as a substitute in a 5–2 loss to French Guiana in the third round of 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification. He scored his first international goal on January 8, 2017 against Trinidad and Tobago in the 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification fifth place playoff.

Career statistics

Club statistics

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.8 January 2017Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago
1–1
4–3
2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification
2.10 September 2018Stade Sylvio Cator, Port-au-Prince, Haiti10–013–02019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualifying
3.17 November 2018Nicaragua National Football Stadium, Managua, Nicaragua
2–0
2–0
2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualifying

Honors

Club

New York Red Bulls II
New York Red Bulls