In Boston, Haiti’s World Cup return is more than soccer amid US political threats to community

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — For Boston council member Ruthzee Louijeune, Haiti’s return to the World Cup is a continuation of what’s been a two-month celebration in the city for the Caribbean nation.

Yes, Haiti’s group match against Scotland on Saturday marked its second-ever appearance in the sport’s biggest tournament more than a half-century after its first one in 1974. But it also represented the latest bonding moment for Boston’s Haitian community in light of the ongoing ban on the country's citizens entering the U.S. and the pending Supreme Court case centered on the American government’s attempt to end the temporary protection status for those that arrived here following 2010 earthquake. A decision in the case is expected soon.

“This moment holds incredible weight, incredible history and incredible pride for the Haitian diaspora,” Louijeune, Boston’s first Haitian-American councilor and former council president, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 4% of Boston’s approximately 670,000 citizens are Haitians. That gives Massachusetts’ largest city the second largest per capita Haitian population in the country. About 45,000 of Massachusetts’ residents are here under temporary protective status — the third-largest Haitian group in the country.

Political strife in Haiti also affected the national soccer squad's road to make the 48-team tournament.

For the first time in 52 years, Haiti played none of its qualifying matches on its home soil because of internal political instability. It won its final World Cup qualifying match 2-0 against Nicaragua on Nov. 18. That date coincided with the anniversary of Haiti’s victory over France in the final battle of the Haitian Revolution in 1803.

“It is a story of tremendous depth for the Haitian community, and we’re so proud that they’re playing their first match here in Boston,” Louijeune said.

The team's opening match in Foxborough also falls just weeks after last month's 24 Haitian Unity Parade was held in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood.

Louijeune helped organize a group of about 300 Haitian fans who gathered Saturday morning for a march from Boston’s famed Copley Square to Boston Common.

“In difficult moments, we have a president who has been attacking the Haitian community during (President Donald) Trump 1.0 and now 2.0, where temporary protected status is under attack, a legal status for so many of our Haitian residents," Louijeune said. "So we are under a lot of pressure, a lot of stress, a lot of heartache. But one thing that, you know, Haitian Flag Day and the Haitian story is important to remember is ... Haiti has always punched above its weight. Even these moments of extreme, extreme difficulty, we believe that a better Haiti is possible because of what our ancestors have shown us.”

That spirit and pride was on display in and outside Gillette Stadium prior to the match against Scotland with fans draped in the team's blue, red and white.

“That was a dream come true,” said Serge Duffaut, who is from Haiti but now lives in Boston and was wearing a blue team jersey and holding a Haitian flag.

Words escaped 48-year-old Fredo Ozil, who was born in Haiti but now lives in in Avon, Massachusetts.

“I can’t even tell, I can’t even express myself,” he said. “It's the best thing that happened ever.”

Ozil said the uncertainty for some his fellow Haitians hasn’t diminished his excitement to watch them compete on the world stage.

“It’s always the same. Nothing changes for Haitian people. It is what it is,” Ozil said. “Only God can do something for us.”

And should he witness Haiti earn its first-ever World Cup point with a draw or a victory?

“It would be the maximum,” Ozil said. "That’s the best we can get. No matter what happens, it’s going to be a fun day.”

AP freelance writer Ken Powtak contributed to this report.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Haiti's Josue Casimir reacts with fans ahead of the World Cup Group C soccer match between Haiti and Scotland in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Haiti supporters react ahead of the World Cup Group C soccer match between Haiti and Scotland in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

A Haiti supporter reacts ahead of the World Cup Group C soccer match between Haiti and Scotland in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

A Haiti supporter reacts ahead of the World Cup Group C soccer match between Haiti and Scotland in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Haiti supporters march on a street in central Boston, Mass,, ahead of the World Cup Group C soccer match between Haiti and Scotland in Foxborough, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

CHICAGO (AP) — Looks like Shohei Ohtani is doing much better.

Ohtani hit a leadoff homer for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday in his return to the starting lineup after being sidelined by inflammation in his left knee. He also walked three times and scored twice in a 7-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

“I felt good waking up in the morning, I feel good now, so I’m pretty confident that I’ll be able to stay healthy and should be good to go tomorrow as well,” Ohtani said through a translator.

The two-way star connected on a 1-0 fastball from White Sox right-hander Sean Burke for his 14th homer. The 409-foot drive to right in the first inning had an exit velocity of 109.6 mph.

It was Ohtani's fifth leadoff homer of the season and No. 29 for his career.

“Obviously he’s the best player in the world, so anytime you can get the best player in a world back in your lineup, he’s definitely going to help and he showed it immediately,” teammate Mookie Betts said.

The 31-year-old Ohtani was back at designated hitter after he rested during Friday’s 8-2 loss in the series opener at Chicago. The knee inflammation popped up Thursday night at Pittsburgh, prompting Ohtani to leave an 8-6 win over the Pirates in the seventh.

“We took him out of the game the other night just for precautionary,” manager Dave Roberts said before Saturday's win. “Yesterday, treated it up, today he feels great. All the confidence that he can go out there and hit, feel good, not regress at all.”

Ohtani, who had surgery on his left knee in September 2019, wasn't sure exactly what caused the inflammation.

“It’s actually hard to pinpoint at what moment this happened,” he said. “All I can really know for sure is that I think my mechanics wasn’t quite great in terms of my pitching side. So I believe that had something to do with this.”

Ohtani is scheduled to take the mound again on Wednesday against Tampa Bay. The 6-foot-4 right-hander tested his knee for his throwing motion by playing catch in the outfield before Saturday's victory.

“It wasn’t 100 percent today, but I, you know, with the next three, four days, I feel pretty confident with enough recovery that I should be able to make the next start,” he said.

Ohtani is batting .305 with 41 RBIs and 50 runs scored in 68 games for the NL West leaders. On the mound, the reigning NL MVP is 6-2 with a 1.06 ERA in 11 starts.

Roberts also said Justin Wrobleski is expected to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Rays. The left-hander left in the fifth inning on Thursday night because of a left hamstring contusion.

“Yesterday I talked to him and he is a little sore, which is understandable, but he’ll be ready to go on Tuesday,” Roberts said.

Roberts, 54, is going to miss Sunday's series finale against the White Sox. Bench coach Danny Lehmann will run the team while Roberts attends his daughter's college graduation.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, of Japan, gestures after he hit a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17), of Japan, hits a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, warms up before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, touches his knee before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, warms up before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, during warmups before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)