Andrew Jean-Baptiste Bio
Andrew Jean-Baptiste is a Haitian-American professional footballer who plays as a centre-back. Born in New York City, he developed his game on Long Island and went on to feature in Major League Soccer, the Canadian Premier League, and several clubs abroad. He represents the Haiti national team after switching his senior international allegiance from the United States, where he had played at the Under-18 level.
Standing 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) tall, Jean-Baptiste is built for the physical demands of central defense, using his frame to dominate in the air and his mobility to step into midfield. His career has carried him from the New York area to the Pacific Northwest, Southern California, Spain, Sweden, Malaysia, and Canada, reflecting a journeyman path that has continually tested and renewed his craft.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Jean-Baptiste was born on 16 June 1992 in New York City, New York, United States. He was raised in Brooklyn by a Haitian father and a Dominican Republic mother, giving him a layered cultural heritage that ultimately shaped his international decision later in his career. He later moved to Long Island, where he attended Brentwood High School and began to take his football development seriously.
During his youth, Jean-Baptiste played for Brentwood Youth SC from 1998 to 2008, building the technical foundation that would later support his jump into the professional ranks. In 2008 he joined Albertson SC, a well-regarded Long Island club, and continued his development through 2010. He was honored with the 2009 Long Island Player of the Year award presented by Newsday, an early signal of his growing reputation as one of the region’s top defensive prospects.
Path to Professional Soccer
After high school, Jean-Baptiste enrolled at the University of Connecticut, where he played college soccer for the Connecticut Huskies from 2010 to 2011. During his second year with the Huskies, he was named the 2011 Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, an honor that put him on the radar of professional scouts across North America.
That same 2010 season, Jean-Baptiste balanced his college schedule by appearing for the New York Red Bulls U-23 team, gaining senior-level experience in the USL Premier Development League. His performances at UConn, combined with his play in the PDL, led to his selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, where the Portland Timbers picked him 8th overall in the first round, a clear endorsement of his readiness for the professional game.
Andrew Jean-Baptiste Career
Early Career (2010–2011)
Andrew Jean-Baptiste’s earliest senior minutes came with the New York Red Bulls U-23 team during the 2010 PDL season, an experience that allowed him to compete against older and more seasoned players while still in college. That exposure, paired with his work as a Connecticut Husky, helped him refine the aerial and tackling skills that have defined his game as a centre-back.
His 2011 Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year award capped his college career and validated his decision to enter the professional ranks. The Portland Timbers’ 8th overall selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft confirmed his status as one of the top defensive prospects in that draft class, and he transitioned directly into the first team.
Portland Timbers Era (2012–2013)
Andrew Jean-Baptiste made an immediate impression with the Portland Timbers. In his very first professional match, he scored a header from a free-kick, set up by Jack Jewsbury, a memorable debut that set the tone for his rookie year. Portland sent him on loan to USL PDL side Los Angeles Blues, where he made eight appearances and continued his development.
In his second season, Jean-Baptiste became a regular starter for the Timbers, featuring in 26 matches. On 13 July 2013, he delivered one of the highlights of his MLS career, scoring the game-winning goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy on a header from a corner kick delivered by Diego Valeri. Despite the strong individual moments, Portland chose to move on at the end of 2013.
Chivas USA and the New York Return (2014–2015)
On 12 December 2013, Andrew Jean-Baptiste was traded to Chivas USA in exchange for Jorge Villafaña. During his one year with Chivas he made 10 league appearances, though a two-month injury absence limited his impact. The move nonetheless provided him another season of MLS experience.
On 27 January 2015, the New York Red Bulls announced that they had signed Jean-Baptiste, a homecoming for the Long Island native. He was loaned to affiliate side New York Red Bulls II, making his debut for the club on 4 April 2015 as a second-half substitute in a 4–1 victory over Toronto FC II, the first victory in club history. He was released by the Red Bulls on 26 June 2015.
Overseas Stints in Sweden, Spain, and Malaysia (2015–2019)
After his release, Jean-Baptiste spent 14 months trying to secure a work permit in Spain. He eventually signed for Swedish Ettan side Nyköpings BIS in August 2016, where he became a key player and earned a contract extension before the end of that season. He made 10 league appearances and scored one goal in 2016, then returned in 2017 to make 22 league appearances, scoring twice, and added two more appearances in the Svenska Cupen.
In February 2019, he joined Swedish Ettan side Umeå FC, where he made 11 league appearances and scored one goal while helping the club earn promotion to the Superettan via the playoffs. On 22 August 2019, the club announced that his contract had been terminated after an unspecified off-field incident. The 2015–2016 period also included a spell at Estrella San Agustín, and in 2018 he had a brief stint with Terengganu II in Malaysia.
Valour FC Era (2020–2023)
On 14 January 2020, Andrew Jean-Baptiste signed with Canadian Premier League side Valour FC. He made his debut for the club on 16 August against Cavalry FC, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat. He returned to Valour for the 2021 season, only to suffer a torn ACL in his left knee on 22 July 2021 that ended his campaign, and the club re-signed him on 18 October for 2022, where he remained through the 2023 season. In January 2024, he announced on his Twitter account that he was departing Valour FC after his contract expired.
Westchester SC Era (2025–Present)
In January 2025, Andrew Jean-Baptiste signed with Westchester SC in USL League One, returning to the New York metropolitan area. The move marked a fresh chapter for the veteran centre-back, who brought top-flight experience and a wealth of international soccer seasoning to a rising American third-division club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Andrew Jean-Baptiste is a tall, physically imposing centre-back whose 1.88 m frame gives him a strong advantage in aerial duels. He reads the game well from the back, uses his body to shield defenders, and is comfortable stepping into tackles. He has shown a knack for contributing at the other end of the pitch as well, with memorable headed goals from set pieces for both Portland Timbers and various European clubs.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Andrew Jean-Baptiste’s signature moments came on 13 July 2013, when his header off a Diego Valeri corner sealed a Portland Timbers victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. He also played a part in New York Red Bulls II’s first-ever victory on 4 April 2015, and he helped Umeå FC earn promotion to the Superettan in 2019. At the international level, he was part of the Haiti squad for the 2015, 2019, and 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cups.
Andrew Jean-Baptiste Career Wins
Andrew Jean-Baptiste’s career has been built on consistent appearances rather than trophy hauls, but he has helped several clubs reach important milestones. He was part of the New York Red Bulls II’s first-ever win in 2015, contributed to Umeå FC’s promotion to the Superettan in 2019, and delivered decisive headed goals in MLS and Swedish football.
Major League Soccer Highlights
In MLS, Jean-Baptiste is best remembered for his debut goal with the Portland Timbers and his game-winning header against the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2013. Across his time with Portland, Chivas USA, and the New York Red Bulls, he accumulated several first-team appearances and one-goal contributions from his centre-back position.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond MLS, Jean-Baptiste played a part in New York Red Bulls II’s historic first win, scored league goals for Nyköpings BIS and Umeå FC, and was part of a Umeå FC side that earned promotion to the Superettan. His time at Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League and his 2025 arrival at Westchester SC in USL League One have extended a long and well-traveled professional journey.
Andrew Jean-Baptiste Family
Family Background and Heritage
Andrew Jean-Baptiste was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to a Haitian father and a Dominican Republic mother. This dual Caribbean-American heritage shaped his upbringing on Long Island and ultimately informed his senior international choice, as he later committed to represent the Haiti national team after playing for the United States at the Under-18 level.
Personal Life
Andrew Jean-Baptiste’s personal life has largely stayed out of the public eye, and details about his spouse and children are not widely documented. He continues to be best known for his commitment to football and for the cultural pride he carries representing Haiti on the international stage.
2025 Season Performance
Andrew Jean-Baptiste’s 2025 campaign began with a January move to Westchester SC in USL League One, returning him to the New York region where his career began. The signing brought a veteran centre-back with MLS and European experience into a young, ambitious club, and his leadership in the back line was expected to anchor a competitive squad.
Early indications suggested Westchester SC viewed Jean-Baptiste as both a starter and a mentor, with his aerial ability and reading of the game central to their defensive structure. The club’s push up the USL League One standings reflected the kind of consistent defending that the Haitian international has delivered throughout his career.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season offered Andrew Jean-Baptiste a chance to extend his playing career in his home market, while continuing to push for selection with the Haiti national team ahead of future CONCACAF competitions. His form in USL League One was poised to determine whether he would remain a regular starter in the twilight of his career or look for one more move abroad.