MIAMI, Florida – For the first time in their history, Arcahaie FC of Haiti will have the opportunity to compete under the bright lights of Concacaf competition in the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf League.
Arcahaie are just the second team from Haiti to qualify for the SCL, following in the footsteps of AS Capoise, who appeared in the 2019 SCL Preliminary Round.
Arcahaie are set to face Verdes FC of Belize in this year’s Preliminary Round and there is plenty of excitement around the club for the match on October 20.
“It is very important. It is a great opportunity for Arcahaie to show itself in Concacaf,” said Arcahaie GK Guerry Romondt.
“It’s very good because it gives great motivation to the players. Every player has the motivation to play in the tournament for Arcahaie and try to get to the next phase. Training is going well,” added Romondt.
Arcahaie qualified for the SCL by virtue of having third-best record of all teams in the 2020 Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship.
After an opening 2-0 defeat to Atletico Pantoja of the Dominican Republic, Arcahaie rebounded and earned a dramatic 1-0 win over Portmore United of Jamaica, a victory that would ultimately secure their spot in the 2020 SCL.
“In that game we had the mental strength to get the win. I love this team and this game and I told every player, we cannot lose, we must win. Losing was not an option. Every player was motivated to win that game because we knew that was the only way we could make the next phase, so that win was important for everyone on the team,” said Romondt.
Arcahaie’s qualification for the 2020 SCL is the continuation of what has been a successful stretch for Haitian football both at the club and international level.
The Haitian National Team finished atop the 34-team table in Concacaf Nations League Qualifying and followed that up with a semifinal run to the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. There is no question that the success of the national team is driving club teams in Haiti to reach new heights.
“The performances of the national team in Concacaf gives all of the clubs in Haiti the motivation to try to win and to make that next stage in the Concacaf League,” said Romondt.
While Arcahaie are using a one-game-at-a-time approach in the 2020 SCL, a top-six finish in the tournament and an automatic berth in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League would signify a great achievement in club history.
“It would be very important, but to get to the Champions League, you have to win. When you go through the qualifying stages, you have to win. It would be very important for everyone at Arcahaie and for all of the players and for me personally,” concluded Romondt.