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 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) tall, he is recognized for his pace, crossing ability, and tactical awareness on the wing.
Etienne came through the New York Red Bulls Academy system and played college soccer at the University of Virginia before turning professional. Over the course of his career he has collected major silverware, including an MLS Cup title and a Supporters’ Shield, while also helping Haiti reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Early Life and Background
Derrick Burckley Etienne Jr. was born on 25 November 1996 in Richmond, Virginia, United States. His father, Derrick Etienne Sr., was a forward who played for the Richmond Kickers and the Long Island Rough Riders, and later represented Haiti internationally. Growing up around the game gave the younger Etienne a clear pathway into competitive soccer from an early age.
When Etienne was still young, his family relocated to Paterson, New Jersey, where he spent most of his childhood. He attended Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, New Jersey, and joined the varsity soccer program as a freshman. In that first high school season he tallied 6 goals and 9 assists, helping the Bulldogs win the state Vo-Tech tournament and a Big North Conference Liberty division title. After that breakthrough year he chose to leave the high school setup and focus on the New York Red Bulls Academy, ending his scholastic playing career.
Path to Professional Soccer
Etienne joined the New York Red Bulls Academy in 2009 at the U-14 level, joining the program at age 12. He progressed steadily through the age groups at U-14, U-15, U-16, and U-18 levels and signed a letter of intent to play college soccer at the University of Virginia. While developing with the academy, he also made appearances for New York Red Bulls II in the United Soccer League.
On 29 August 2015, Etienne made his collegiate debut for the Virginia Cavaliers in a 1–0 victory over UNC Charlotte, and on 21 September 2015 he scored his first collegiate goal in a 1–0 win over VCU, his father’s alma mater. Later that same year, he chose to forgo the rest of his NCAA eligibility and signed a professional contract, accelerating his path to the senior ranks.
Derrick Etienne Jr. Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
On 28 March 2015, Etienne made his professional debut for USL affiliate New York Red Bulls II in a 0–0 draw against the Rochester Rhinos. He scored his first professional goal on 24 May 2015, assisting another in a 3–2 victory over FC Montreal, a performance that earned him a place on the USL Team of the Week. On 21 December 2015 he signed a Homegrown Contract with the New York Red Bulls, forgoing his remaining NCAA eligibility.
Loaned back to Red Bulls II in 2016, Etienne scored his first goal of that season on 10 April in a 4–0 victory over Bethlehem Steel FC, and added another on 7 May in a 3–1 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds. On 23 October 2016, he opened the scoring and recorded an assist in a 5–1 victory over Swope Park Rangers in the 2016 USL Cup Final. In 2017 he opened his account on 28 May with a free-kick winner against Charleston Battery, and on 19 July 2017 he recorded 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)
Etienne broke through with the senior New York Red Bulls side in 2018. On 31 March 2018 he scored his first MLS goal in a 4–3 loss to Orlando City SC, and on 5 May he netted the final goal in a 4–0 derby victory over New York City FC. The following week he scored against the Colorado Rapids, and on 28 October 2018 he scored the decisive goal in a 1–0 win over Orlando City SC that clinched the Red Bulls’ third Supporters’ Shield.
On 8 August 2019, Etienne was loaned to MLS side FC Cincinnati for the remainder of the 2019 season, where he made five appearances without scoring. He was released by New York at the end of their 2019 campaign, closing a developmental chapter that began in the academy a decade earlier.
Columbus Crew Era (2020–2022)
Following his release from New York, Etienne signed with Columbus Crew on 4 February 2020. He quickly became a contributor in the attack during a championship-caliber season. His defining moment came in MLS Cup 2020, when he scored the second goal in a 3–0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC, helping Columbus lift their second league title.
Etienne remained part of the Crew squad through the following seasons, providing depth and versatility on the wing. On 26 October 2022, Columbus Crew released him, making him a free agent at the end of his contract.
Toronto FC Era (2024–Present)
On 30 November 2022, Atlanta United FC announced that they had signed Etienne to a contract through 2025, with options for 2026 and 2027, and he was subsequently loaned to Atlanta United 2. He later moved to Toronto FC, where he currently plays as a winger in Major League Soccer.
Etienne has settled into the Toronto FC setup as an experienced MLS veteran with championship pedigree. His combination of pace, crossing, and set-piece delivery gives the squad a different attacking dimension, and he is expected to play a rotational role while competing for a starting spot on the wing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although best known as a winger, Etienne’s game is built around direct running, intelligent movement off the ball, and accurate service from wide positions. He is comfortable cutting inside onto his stronger foot and has demonstrated the ability to deliver decisive free kicks. His tactical discipline and experience in high-pressure matches have made him a reliable contributor in tight games.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the standout moments of Etienne’s career are his goal in the 2016 USL Cup Final, his decisive strike that sealed the 2018 Supporters’ Shield for the New York Red Bulls, and his finish in the 3–0 MLS Cup 2020 victory that delivered Columbus Crew a championship. He also helped Haiti reach the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals, a first in national team history.
Derrick Etienne Jr. Career Wins
Across his professional career, Derrick Etienne Jr. has built an impressive list of team honours. His most prominent team trophies include the MLS Cup with Columbus Crew in 2020, the Supporters’ Shield with the New York Red Bulls in 2018, and the USL Cup with New York Red Bulls II in 2016.
New York Red Bulls Highlights
During his time with the New York Red Bulls organization, Etienne was part of the Red Bulls II squad that won the 2016 USL Cup, opening the scoring and adding an assist in the 5–1 Final victory over Swope Park Rangers. With the senior team, he contributed to the 2018 Supporters’ Shield win, scoring the lone goal in the 1–0 victory over Orlando City SC that clinched the title on 28 October 2018.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his club success, Etienne represented Haiti at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he helped the team win Group B by defeating Bermuda, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, before upsetting Canada 3–2 in the quarter-finals. His performances during that tournament underlined his importance to the national team setup.
| Honour | Team | Year |
|---|---|---|
| USL Cup | New York Red Bulls II | 2016 |
| Supporters’ Shield | New York Red Bulls | 2018 |
| MLS Cup | Columbus Crew | 2020 |
Derrick Etienne Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Soccer runs deep in the Etienne family. His father, Derrick Etienne Sr., was a forward who played for the Richmond Kickers in Virginia and the Long Island Rough Riders, and also represented Haiti at international level. His older sister, Danielle Etienne, is a midfielder who has also been capped by Haiti, making the family one of the more notable footballing dynasties in the Haitian diaspora.
Personal Life
Etienne is the older brother of Haitian international midfielder Danielle Etienne and the son of former Haitian international Derrick Etienne Sr. He was raised primarily in Paterson, New Jersey, after being born in Richmond, Virginia, and continues to balance his professional career in Major League Soccer with his duties representing the Haiti national team.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 Major League Soccer season, Derrick Etienne Jr. is expected to compete for minutes as a winger with Toronto FC. With several attacking options in the squad, he is likely to feature both as a starter and as an impact substitute, using his experience from championship runs with the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew.
On the international stage, Etienne was included in Haiti head coach Sébastien Migné’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming his status as a key senior player. His pace, set-piece delivery, and big-game temperament will be central to Haiti’s hopes of competing on the global stage.
If he can stay healthy and productive through the middle of the campaign, Etienne will have a clear opportunity to expand his trophy haul and further cement his reputation as one of the most consistent Haitian-American wingers in Major League Soccer.