With the Women’s World Cup now in full flight, most consideration has gone to the venerable groups like France, Brazil and Germany. And, of course, to the two-time defending champion United States.
Hats off to all these groups, every talent-blessed and well-funded by their nationwide soccer federations and by enterprise conglomerates.
My coronary heart is with and my eyes are on the scrappiest, most resilient underdog on this match. That could be Haiti. Les Grenadiers, as the crew is affectionately identified. The Soldiers.
Les Grenadiers symbolize a nation that has lengthy struggled to heal the deep wounds left by colonialism and slavery. In massive half as a result of of the burdensome debt levied by France in trade for its freedom, Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Over the final 13 years, its residents have endured lethal, devastating earthquakes and floods. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, vigilantes have taken up arms in opposition to gangs, and democracy has crumbled. In March, the United Nations referred to as for a world peacekeeping power to assist restore order.
Such instability pressured Les Grenadiers to reside and play exterior Haiti throughout World Cup qualifying rounds. No matter. The crew wove round each thorny roadblock and in February beat Chile, 2-1, to make it to the match in Australia and New Zealand.
There isn’t any company assist for this crew. Yet hardship has a means of creating steely, tenacious spirit.
