On Tuesday evening, with the temperature teasing Montrealers about the potential of what summer could bring, Saputo Stadium was rocking like it has never rocked before.
It has been a dreadful season for CF Montréal. Impact fans have been enduring home games rather than enjoying them, but for at least one night, 18,000 fans breathed life back into the building.
Canada rolled to a two-game sweep over Haiti with a 3-1 win in a women’s international soccer friendly. But the rowdiness wasn’t attributed to the win.
Fans from Montreal’s large Haitian community were out in droves, waving Haitian flags, wearing blue and red jerseys, and even clogging the streets around the stadium. Everywhere you looked, the crowd was electric.
Carmel Victor, a fan decked out in a Haitian-themed bandana with a small flag in her hair, said showing this much fervour is simply the Haitian way.
“When we talk, we talk loud,” said Victor, who was born in Haiti and now lives in Mascouche, just north of Montreal. “When we win something, it’s a party.”
She said this game is something the diaspora needed.
“You know, the situation in Haiti, it’s not good at all. But now we want to celebrate.”
Canadian-born fan cheers on Haitians
By halftime, Team Canada had the game well in hand, but that didn’t stop the raucous celebration.
“That’s why I’m here,” said Rigobert Laguerre, nodding toward the crowd. He moved to the Montreal area more than a decade ago.
“I know that the Canadian team is stronger than Haiti’s national team, but I’m here for the ambiance because I really missed it.”
Carl Bellejour was at the game with his dad, who immigrated to Montreal before Carl was born. Despite being a first-generation Canadian, Bellejour wasn’t applauding Canadian goals.
“No. I’m wearing a Haitian shirt right now so I have to cheer for Haiti,” he said with a laugh.
Bellejour said being surrounded by so many passionate fans makes him even more proud of his roots.
“We don’t really get the chance to be a lot together, but I’m seeing a lot of people, seeing a lot of flags, people being proud to be Haitian. Being able to have a game here in Montreal, in Canada, to be able to support Haiti and also for Canada is really special.”
Despite a few scares, Canada held on for the 3-1 win. The result shouldn’t be a surprise, seeing as Canada is the seventh-ranked team in the world. (Haiti is ranked 53rd.)
“I’m so proud to see all these Haitians here,” beamed Ayvi Etienne over the din of thousands of fans banging their feet on the metal stands.
“Even if we lose against Canada, it’s not the score that I’m interested in, it’s to see all these Haitians.”
And Etienne believes the crowd sent a message to CF Montréal.
“We showed them what we can do,” he said. “If they sign at least two Haitian players, we’re going to be there every match.”
‘It makes us feel at home,’ Haitian captain says
Melchie Dumornay, a star player with Haiti, has been to a World Cup, plays her professional soccer in France and is considered one of the top players in the world. She scored on a penalty kick for Les Grenadières’ lone goal.
“There was a great atmosphere,” she told reporters after the match. “I thank all the Haitians who made the trip, who made it possible for this stadium to be packed. It makes us feel at home, even though we’re in Canada.”
The wild crowd did not go unnoticed by Canadian players either. Évelyne Viens from L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que., scored twice for Canada, in a home game that might have felt like her team was playing on the road.
“Obviously it would be more fun if we have more Canadian supporters,” she said, adding it was still a “good crowd.”
Gabrielle Carle, another member of the national team originally from Quebec City, said she was surprised by the enthusiastic crowd.
“Growing up in Quebec and Montreal, you know that there is a very proud Haitian population here,” Carle said.
“It was really cool to experience that even though it wasn’t going our way, that crowd, that passion was really cool to experience.”
