Derrick Etienne Jr. Bio
Derrick Burckley Etienne Jr. (born 25 November 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC. Born in the United States, he represents the Haiti national team in international competition. Standing 179 cm tall, he has built his career in North American soccer through a mix of youth development, second-tier experience, and top-flight league success.
Early Life and Background
Etienne was born in Richmond, Virginia, where his father, Derrick Etienne Sr., played for the Richmond Kickers. After his early years in Virginia, his family moved to Paterson, New Jersey, where he spent the rest of his childhood. He is the son of former Haitian international and Long Island Rough Riders forward Derrick Etienne, and the older brother of Haitian international midfielder Danielle Etienne.
He attended Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, New Jersey, where he played varsity soccer for the Bulldogs during his freshman year, recording 6 goals and 9 assists. He helped lead the team to the state Vo-Tech tournament and the Big North Conference Liberty division titles. Following that high school season, Etienne chose to end his amateur playing career to focus on the New York Red Bulls Academy.
Path to Soccer
Etienne spent his youth club career with the New York Red Bulls Academy, joining in 2009 at the U-14 level at age 12. While one of the youngest players in the group, he progressed through the U-14, U-15, U-16, and U-18 levels, eventually signing a letter of intent to play college soccer at the University of Virginia. His development through the academy laid the foundation for his transition to professional football.
Despite appearing for New York Red Bulls II, Etienne maintained his college eligibility and made his collegiate debut for the Cavaliers on 29 August 2015, in a 1-0 victory over UNC Charlotte. On 21 September 2015, he scored his first collegiate goal in a 1-0 victory over Virginia Commonwealth University, his father’s alma mater. Later that same year, he chose not to complete his degree at Virginia and signed a professional contract.
Derrick Etienne Jr. Career
Early Career (2015-2017)
On 28 March 2015, Etienne made his professional debut for USL affiliate club New York Red Bulls II in a 0-0 draw against the Rochester Rhinos. On 24 May 2015, he scored his first professional goal and added an assist in a 3-2 victory over FC Montreal, a performance that earned him a place on the USL Team of the Week. He continued to feature regularly for Red Bulls II, scoring against the Richmond Kickers, his father’s former club, and Louisville City FC.
On 21 December 2015, Etienne signed a Homegrown Contract with the New York Red Bulls, forgoing his remaining NCAA eligibility. After being loaned back to Red Bulls II for the 2016 season, he helped the club win the 2016 USL Cup Final, recording a goal and an assist in a 5-1 victory over Swope Park Rangers. In 2017, he made his first assist for the senior team, setting up Daniel Royer in a 5-1 win over San Jose Earthquakes.
New York Red Bulls Breakthrough (2018-2019)
On 31 March 2018, Etienne scored his first MLS goal for the New York Red Bulls in a 4-3 loss to Orlando City SC. He added goals against New York City FC and the Colorado Rapids in May 2018, establishing himself as a contributor in the senior squad. On 28 October 2018, he scored the game-winning goal as the Red Bulls clinched their third Supporters’ Shield with a 1-0 win over Orlando City SC.
On 8 August 2019, Etienne was loaned to FC Cincinnati for the remainder of the 2019 season, where he made five appearances. He was released by the Red Bulls at the end of their 2019 campaign.
Columbus Crew Era (2020-2022)
Following his release from New York, Etienne moved to Columbus Crew on 4 February 2020. That season, he scored the second goal in a 3-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC in MLS Cup 2020, helping the club win their second league championship. His performances during the title run established him as a reliable contributor in the Crew’s attack.
On 26 October 2022, Columbus Crew released Etienne, making him a free agent at the end of his contract.
Atlanta United Era (2023-2024)
On 30 November 2022, Atlanta United FC announced that they had signed Etienne to a contract through 2025, with options for 2026 and 2027. He featured for the organization, including time with Atlanta United 2 in MLS NEXT Pro, before eventually moving on to his current club.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Etienne’s goal in MLS Cup 2020 against Seattle Sounders FC stands out as the defining event of his club career, delivering a championship to Columbus. His game-winning strike that secured the 2018 Supporters’ Shield for the Red Bulls is another milestone that underscored his big-match impact.
Derrick Etienne Jr. International Career
Though born and raised in the United States, Etienne chose to represent Haiti in international competition, becoming the third member of his family to do so after his father and uncle. He was a member of the Haiti Under-17 team at the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Panama and the Haiti Under-20 team at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Jamaica.
On 9 November 2016, he made his first senior appearance for Haiti, coming on as a substitute in a 5-2 loss to French Guiana in 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification. He scored his first international goal on 8 January 2017 against Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean Cup fifth-place playoff. In the summer of 2019, he helped Haiti win Group B of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, upsetting Canada 3-2 in the quarter-finals before a 1-0 extra-time loss to Mexico in the semifinals.
Derrick Etienne Jr. Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Etienne comes from a family with deep roots in soccer. His father, Derrick Etienne Sr., is a former Haitian international who played for the Long Island Rough Riders and the Richmond Kickers. His sister, Danielle Etienne, is a Haitian international midfielder, and his uncle also represented Haiti, making Derrick the third member of his family to play for the national team.
2025 Season Outlook
Etienne is set to feature for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer in 2025 as a winger, bringing experience from his time with the New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew, and Atlanta United organizations. He will be looking to contribute to a new chapter in his career after a championship-winning run in Columbus and a developmental stretch in Atlanta. With a 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal appearance on his international résumé, he offers veteran leadership for Haiti’s national team as well.