James Marcelin


James Marcelin is a Haitian professional footballer who last played for Canadian club FC Edmonton.

Club career

Early career

Born in Saint-Marc, Haiti, Marcelin began his career with Roulado when he was sixteen, helping the team win the Ligue Haïtienne title in 2003, before moving to Racing Club Haïtien in 2007.

Puerto Rico Islanders

In 2008, he moved to the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division, where he saw limited playing time in league games. However, he played heavily in Puerto Rico's 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League games. In 2009, he became a regular first team starter.

Portland Timbers

On 11 February 2010, the Portland Timbers of the USSF D2 Pro League signed Marcelin to a one-year contract for the 2010 season where he quickly established himself as a regular first-team starter. He continued with the Timbers when they joined Major League Soccer in 2011, appearing in most games of the season and starting in several ones. Marcelin was waived by Portland on 25 April 2012 for 'non soccer related reasons'.

FC Dallas

He signed with fellow MLS club FC Dallas just over a week later on 4 May 2012 for the rest of the season.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers

In July 2014 he signed with Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League.
On 16 December 2014, Marcelin signed with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer but was waived in the preseason.
He re-signed with Fort Lauderdale on 3 March 2015.

North Carolina FC

Marcelin was traded by Fort Lauderdale to Carolina RailHawks in exchange for Neil Hlavaty on 30 December 2015.

Miami United

In June 2018, Marcelin signed with National Premier Soccer League side Miami United FC.

FC Edmonton

On 22 February 2019, Marcelin joined Canadian Premier League side FC Edmonton. He made his debut for the Eddies on May 4 against Valour FC playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory. At the end of the season Edmonton announced that Marcelin would not be returning to the team in 2020.

International career

In 2006, Marcelin appeared for the Haitian U-21 national team. In 2007 and 2009, Marcelin played for the Haiti national football team at the Gold Cup. On 8 June 2016, Marcelin scored a historic goal for Haiti, making it the first goal scored for Haiti in a Copa América and the first Haitian goal scored against Brazil.

Career statistics

International goals

No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
18 July 2009Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, United States172–02–02009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
22 September 2011Stade Sylvio Cator, Port-au-Prince, Haiti211–06–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
36 September 2011Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao222–24–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification
49 October 2015BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, United States301–03–1Friendly
58 June 2016Camping World Stadium, Orlando, United States331–51–72016 Copa América

Honours

Roulado
Puerto Rico Islanders
Individual