Overview:
Violette Athletic Club reached the Haitian Soccer League final after finishing atop its southern playoff group with four straight wins, continuing a dominant run this season. The reigning champions dominated the playoffs, outscoring their opponents 12-2. Le Vieux Tigre is now awaiting the winner of the northern playoff group, against whom it will defend its title.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Reigning Ligue Haïtienne de Football champions Violette Athletic Club secured a place in the league final for the second consecutive time after a dominant 5-0 win over America des Cayes on April 23, at the sports complex Land des Gabions in Les Cayes.
The Port-au-Prince-based club swept the southern playoff group, earning 12 points from four matches and outscoring opponents 12-2. Violette clinched its spot in the final with two games remaining, rendering the final group matches unnecessary.
The southern group also included Don Bosco de Pétion-Ville and Juventus des Cayes.
Violette’s playoff results
- April 8: Violette 3, America des Cayes 2
- April 13: Violette 3, Juventus des Cayes 0
- April 19: Violette 1, Don Bosco de Pétion-Ville 0
- April 23: Violette 5, America des Cayes 0
Nicknamed Le Vieux Tigre — the Old Tiger — Violette has been dominant throughout the season. The club finished first in its regular-season group with a 3-1-1 record and has lost only one match heading into the final.
Northern group remains tight, Violette’s dominant run continues
While Violette cruised through the southern bracket, the northern playoff group remains competitive. Football Inter Club Association (FICA), Baltimore Sportif Club and Tempête Football Club are tied at the top with two matches remaining.
Baltimore currently leads on goal differential. The Saint-Marc-based club lost 2-1 to Violette in February’s opening series final.
FICA, based in Cap-Haïtien, is considered a strong contender to reach the final. The team features the league’s top scorer, Sandinho Saint-Jean, who netted five goals during the regular season.
Violette is widely regarded as the most consistent Haitian club over the past few years. The team has won two league titles this decade, including in 2021, and captured the 2022 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship.
League format and regular-season logistics
The 2026 closing season began Feb. 28 with 14 teams split into two groups — eight in the north and six in the south. Teams played a single round-robin within their groups.
The top four teams in each group advanced to the playoffs, where teams face each other twice. The top two teams from each group advance to the final, which is played over two legs.
While Violette topped the southern group during the regular season, FICA also finished first in the north.
Key players driving Violette’s success
Midfielder Woodensky Pierre has been central to Violette’s success. The 21-year-old is the only locally based player called up during Haiti’s recent national team preparations for the 2026 World Cup and made his debut March 31 in a 1-1 friendly against Iceland.
Pierre scored the winning goal in a 1-0 playoff victory over Don Bosco, helping secure Violette’s place in the final.
Forwards Miche-Naider Chéry and Elyvens Dejean have also played key roles. Dejean was a standout performer in the 2022 Caribbean Club Championship, while Chéry finished as one of the competition’s top scorers and later had a brief stint with Oakland Roots SC in the United Soccer League (USL).
The Haitian league has not yet announced the date for the final.
Meanwhile, northern playoff action continues. FICA will face Racing Club des Gonaïves at Parc Vincent, while Tempête will play Baltimore on April 26.
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