World Cup confidence! Derrick Etienne Jr. scores world-class golazo | OneFootball

By Harrison Hamm

Fresh off his selection to Haiti’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, Derrick Etienne Jr. celebrated in style.

The Toronto FC forward scored an incredible outside-the-box strike on Saturday night against Charlotte FC, just a day after confirmation that he will join his country at this summer's World Cup.

Etienne Jr. cut in on his right foot and launched a gorgeous bar-down finish. The goal, his second of the MLS season, was Toronto’s bright spot in a 3-1 loss at Charlotte.

He scored a great goal, said head coach Robin Fraser. "It was a fantastic goal. He comes inside, hits a fantastic shot.

"And I thought Derrick played a really, really spirited game and gave us an important goal."

Decide the 2026 MLS All-Star Roster

Choose who represents MLS against LIGA MX on July 29th in Charlotte. There’s no voting limit - vote for your favorite players again and again.

Make Your Picks

World Cup bound

The Richmond, Virginia-born attacker has long been a key contributor for Haiti. He has recorded 8g/10a in 46 caps since making his senior debut in 2016.

A longtime MLS sparkplug, he has 22g/25a in 229 regular-season appearances for five teams across 11 seasons.

He featured prominently as Haiti qualified for its second-ever World Cup, and its first since 1974. Les Grenadiers were drawn into Group C, along with Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco, and will kick off their World Cup journey in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 13 against Scotland.

"It's a great feeling. I think it's every player's dream to represent their country and go to the World Cup," Etienne Jr. remarked postgame. "And then the fact that it's in the United States. My games are close to home. It's something that's very special to me.

Etienne Jr. joins fellow MLS players, Philadelphia Union midfielder Danley Jean Jacques and FC Dallas forward Louicius Deedson, on Haiti’s 26-man squad revealed on Friday by manager Sébastien Migné.

Toronto will visit Chicago Fire FC next Saturday in their final league match ahead of the World Cup break (8:30 pm ET | Apple TV).