Christiano François (born July 17, 1993) is a Haitian professional footballer who plays as a winger for the Loudoun United in the USL Championship and for the Haiti national team.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | July 17, 1993 | ||
Place of birth | Cabaret, Haiti | ||
Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
Position(s) | Winger, Forward | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Loudoun United | ||
Number | 17 | ||
Youth career | |||
2010–2011 | Players Development Academy | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2012–2013 | Maryland Terrapins | 24 | (5) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2011 | Central Jersey Spartans | 2 | (0) |
2013 | Baltimore Bohemians | 2 | (0) |
2014 | D.C. United | 0 | (0) |
2014 | → Richmond Kickers (loan) | 10 | (1) |
2014 | Ironbound Soul SC | 10 | (4) |
2015 | Vila Real | 14 | (1) |
2015–2016 | Felgueiras 1932 | 26 | (3) |
2016 | FC Motown | ||
2017 | Rochester Rhinos | 14 | (1) |
2018 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 33 | (4) |
2019 | Ottawa Fury | 29 | (8) |
2020 | Reno 1868 | 16 | (6) |
2021 | Miami FC | 31 | (11) |
2022 | El Paso Locomotive | 26 | (1) |
2023 | Rio Grande Valley FC | 33 | (3) |
2024– | Loudoun United | 21 | (0) |
International career‡ | |||
2015 | Haiti U23 | 3 | (0) |
2019– | Haiti | 3 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 October 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 September 2019 |
Career
editEarly career
editFrançois came to the United States following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, playing prep soccer for two years at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey.[1] He enrolled in the University of Maryland's Maryland English Institute and formed a close bond with fellow Haitian Widner Saint-Cyr. Following a freshman season where he scored 5 goals in 24 games for the Terrapins, François was forced to redshirt his sophomore year due to academic reasons.[2]
D.C. United
editAfter two years at Maryland, François decided to leave college early and sign a contract with Major League Soccer. He was claimed by D.C. United via the Waiver Draft on January 24, 2014.[3] On March 25, François was loaned to USL Pro affiliate club Richmond Kickers[4] He made his professional debut on April 5 in a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.[5]
On August 8, 2014; he was recalled from Richmond and released by D.C. United.[6]
On January 21, 2015 he signed with SC Vila Real as a forward and right-wing midfielder.[7]
In August 2015 he signed with Felgueiras 1932.
FC Motown
editDuring 2016, François made appearances with New Jersey amateur side FC Motown.[8][9]
Rochester Rhinos
editOn March 21, 2017, he signed with USL side Rochester Rhinos.[10]
Ottawa Fury
editFollowing a season with Pittsburgh Riverhounds, François signed with Ottawa Fury FC of the USL Championship on December 3, 2018.[11]
Miami FC
editOn January 18, 2021, François signed with USL Championship side Miami FC.[12]
El Paso Locomotive FC
editFrançois joined El Paso Locomotive in the USL Championship's Western Conference on 8 February 2022.[13] He made 26 league appearances, scoring one goal and assisting another, before departing the club following the expiry of his contract.[14]
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
editOn January 27, 2023, François signed with Rio Grande Valley FC.[15]
Loudoun United FC
editFrançois joined Loudoun United on 15 December 2023.[16]
International career
editFrançois made his debut for Haiti national football team on 7 September 2019 in a CONCACAF Nations League game against Curaçao, he replaced Derrick Etienne in the 78th minute.[17]
References
edit- ^ "Christiano Francois has gone from earthquake-ravaged Haiti to top-ranked Maryland soccer". The Washington Post. October 18, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
- ^ "Maryland Terrapins lose two key players". The Washington Post. August 16, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
- ^ "Christiano Francois claimed in a Waiver Draft". DCunited.com. D.C. United. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ "UNITED SENDS FOUR TO RICHMOND". Richmond Kickers. 25 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ "Kickers Claim Win Against Riverhounds". USLsoccer.com. United Soccer Leagues. 5 April 2014. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ Goff, Steven. "D.C. United acquires David Estrada from Seattle, loses Michael Seaton for month". The Washington Post. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
- ^ "SC Vila Real contrata dois haitianos | Desportivo Transmontano". Archived from the original on 2015-02-22. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
- ^ USLSoccer com Staff (16 May 2017). "Rhinos' Francois Set for Familiar Foe". USL Championship. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "Welcome to NPSL: FC Motown". FC Motown. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ USLSoccer.com Staff (21 March 2017). "Rhinos Add Felix, Francois to Squad".
- ^ Staff, uslchampionship.com (3 December 2018). "Fury FC Acquires François from Hounds".
- ^ Communications, Miami FC (18 January 2021). "Dangerous Winger Christiano François Signs with Miami FC". Miami FC. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "Locomotive FC Adds Haitian International Christiano Francois". USLChampionship.com. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ "John-Brown and Francois Not Returning For 2023 Season". El Paso Locomotive FC. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
- ^ "Toros sign Haitian international Christiano François". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ Ocampo, J. "Loudoun United FC Haitian International Christiano François Through 2024". LoudounUnitedFC.com. Loudoun United. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ "Curaçao v Haiti game report". CONCACAF. 7 September 2019.
External links
edit- Christiano François at Major League Soccer
- Maryland Terrapins bio
- "USSF Development Academy bio". Archived from the original on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- desportivotransmontano.com Archived 2015-02-22 at the Wayback Machine
- Christiano François at National-Football-Teams.com
- Christiano François at Soccerway