The Haitian National Amputee Soccer Team held a public practice and scrimmage at Quail Run Sports Complex in Mesa, AZ today. Phoenix Pro Soccer, & IIOS, partnered with the City of Mesa, who provided the facility to assist in showcasing the sport and the project to the Phoenix Area. There was extensive media coverage at the event from local and regional TV, The Arizona Republic, and the AP, who all came out to assist in garnering exposure for the team. The highlight of the day was when local residents Heather and Jason Goracke, who recently adopted Evens from a Haitian orphanage that was destroyed by the earthquake in January, brought out their son to spend time with the team. The team bonded with the boy and he enjoyed spending time with all of the guys during the session. Leaders in the Phoenix amputee support community also were in attendance and were amazed at the teams tenacity, heart, and dedication and are very interested in working with IIOS to help build the sport in the Phoenix Metro area.
October 19th~Haiti fell tonight to the experienced and skillful Russian squad this evening 7-0 in Viale, Argentina. The Russians displayed a total game, with skilled precision passing, ball control, and a very capable attack that the young Haiti team just couldn’t contain.
The first half the Haitians tried to play a more defensive game, but the Russians broke the defense as the score at half was 3-0.
After half, with wholesale player substitutions, the Haiti team attempted to open up the match with a little more offensive mindset, however, this allowed the Russians more space and they definitely took advantage of it.
The pro-Haiti crowd at C.A. Arsenal Stadium was solidly behind the Haitian squad despite the final score.
Rick Hofmann, General Secretary of the World Amputee Football Association had this to say when he heard the score, “Your rookies held Russia to 7 !!?? That’s a phenomenal performance!” He went on to say, “Being together as short as time as you have, and this being your first real competition, you have no idea of how impressive a performance that is. Holding Russia to 7 in your first international competition. That’s truly remarkable! They are, after all, three time World Cup Champions.”
Their next match is against Iran in the first match of the Consolation Bracket on Wednesday.
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October 18th~In the second game in two days Haiti did not play well. The men are still learning to adapt to this high-pace world and the emotional ups and downs of competition, and we had to reassure that even the best teams in the world can lose 2-0 under these conditions. Considering that this was only their second game ever and that they have been playing for less than two months, we are proud of their performance.
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The Haitian Amputee World Cup soccer team played its first-ever game against the powerful team of England at Arsenal Stadium in Viale, Argentina.
When the final whistle sounded, Haiti lost a hard fought battle vs Eng 2-1. The Haitians overcame early nerves & ended the half 0-0. Eng scored a goal early in the 2nd, and Haiti equalized on what the Argentines call a Golazo. Eng scored the winner about midway in the 2nd. The team played with heart, grit, & determination, …and they all “got stuck in”! After the 1st match, Haiti is 3rd in their group on goal differential.
The lone Haitian goal was scored by Gustave Denis, and even though he let in 2 goals, Emmanuel Ladouceur was great in goal. Considering this was the first competitive match that they have EVER played, and the first time that this team was all together on the pitch was on Aug 14th, their first match was an overwhelming success.
The Haitian team plays Angola at Viale FC Stadium on Monday at 9pm Local Time (6pm CST). We will post all developments and scores tomorrow.
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After arriving in Argentina, Dr. Fred Sorrells, President of IIOS, wrote, “It’s cold here! Our athletes were not prepared. A clothing shop owner here in Viale donated sweaters and caps to the team. We are hosted by the Viale Soccer Club and the reception has been very cordial. The team has a 9 am practice and will have a technical session with the British team this afternoon on the official field.”
At right, the Haiti Amputee Soccer Team has breakfast on Saturday morning before practice. 
Funds are still desperately needed to cover the expenses already incurred by the Haiti Amputee Soccer World Cup Tour.
Please make a donation today!
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FRISCO, Texas – FC Dallas team captain Daniel Hernandez delivered cleats, training kits, goalkeeper gloves and the official matching jerseys that the Haitian Men’s Amputee Soccer Team will wear during the World Cup of Amputee Soccer to the team at Pizza Hut Park Wednesday.
“We really appreciate FC Dallas hosting these people here,” Sierra Leone Amputee Soccer Association President Fuday Dumbuya said. “FC Dallas has given this team a lot of encouragement. It gives us great joy to be here in Dallas.”
“They’re an inspiration to anyone”, Daniel Hernandez, defender/midfielder-FC Dallas say after watching the Haitian Amputee Soccer team practice.
This is a great video released by FC Dallas, Frisco, TX.
FC Dallas athletes describe their experiences with the Haiti Amputee Soccer Team.
The Haiti Amputee Soccer Team with Dr. Fred Sorrells, Chris Campasano and Dr. Ed Sakiewicz
What a blessing! Just an hour before time would run out, two gentlemen observing soccer practice at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, decided to underwrite the air fares to Crespo, Argentina, for the Haiti Amputee Soccer Team.
The team will be leaving Dallas for Crespo on Thursday, October 14. Opening ceremonies for the World Cup of Amputee Football will be held on Saturday, October 16, and the Haiti delegation will be there!
We continue to need funds to cover many other expenses related to this project to help raise the quality of life for people with disabilities in Haiti. Please visit IIOS to make a donation today.
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