by elevencomms
Tied for second in caps for the Haitian national team, Indy Eleven defender Mechack Jerome has experience on both the international and club stage. Jerome received the call to play internationally early in his career.
“I started out early, I was 17, and they called me,” Jerome said. “…When they called me for the first time, I was happy and ready to go…. I want every youngster to experience that… I go day by day and work hard. And they always call me, and I make more caps. And I’m still available for them when they need me.”
Prior to his first appearance for Haiti, Jerome said he felt pressure heading into the match; however, he said he was helped by the veteran players. Fifteen years later, Jerome says it was always his dream to play for the national team.
“It was a dream because when I was little in my city, I wanted to play for the national team,” Jerome said. “And then when I was there, I said I would play professionally. And I pushed for it. Thanks [to] God my dream came true. And I have played for almost 15 years now. So, I’m going to go until I can’t anymore.”
Giving back to the Haitian community, Jerome said he hopes to help the youth back home when he can. The Mechack Academy is an example of that. According to Jerome, he hopes his community can have this, given he did not have it as a kid.
“When I was young, I didn’t have an academy to perform at, to grow up with, to feel like a soccer player with that,” Jerome said. “That’s where I weigh in because we have a lot of talent. And I wasn’t in the academy when I was little, so many kids don’t have that opportunity. I had a dream, and I pushed for it, but some kids are going to give up. So, if they have an academy that can push them, talk to them, and then [they can] make stuff happen [for them].”
Jerome said his family played a large role in helping him continue to play since they all played the sport.
“My family pushed me a lot,” Jerome said. “I think because all my family plays soccer; my sister, my brother, my dad used to play soccer that’s why I didn’t quit, but some kids didn’t have those kinds of people behind them to push them.”
With family helping him along the way, since joining Indy Eleven back in 2021, Jerome said his favorite part about the team has been the second family he has developed here.
“It’s about the culture of the team,” Jerome said “… They are my second family, I can say the team and the staff, the people in the front office.”
Through his experience playing internationally and at other clubs, Jerome said he has been able to apply this experience to where he is today after a slow start for himself at the start of the year.
“Nothing’s going to be given to you for free, you have to work for it,” Jerome said. “I work more than I usually work during the season. When I go home, I sleep and I go to the gym… when you get older, it’s just the stuff you have to work on and keep your feet on the field. So, I’m still working on them, and I’m trying to improve myself and eat well sleep well and try not to get injuries.”
Nearing the end of the regular season, Jerome said the team will need to stick together. Pushing for the playoffs and a better seed is something the team is striving for.
“We are trying to stick together to finish the season strong,” Jerome said. “We all want to finish close to the first, fourth to third places…. Now, we [need to] focus on that and push forward to the playoffs.”
Originally posted on indyeleven.com