Frantzdy Pierrot, Melrose alum playing for Haiti, gets Mass. holiday

Catch up quick: Pierrot, who was born in Haiti and moved to Massachusetts at age 11, was named this month to the Haiti men's national soccer team for the World Cup.

State of play: Pierrot made an appearance Tuesday at the State House alongside Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune as they announced the day in his honor.

• He announced the launch of a namesake foundation to train Haitian youth in soccer and connect them with soccer clubs across the Americas.

What they're saying: "I believe a child's future should not depend on them leaving their home," Pierrot told the crowd. "There must be opportunity where they are."

Flashback: While Pierrot now plays for Caykur Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig, he started playing soccer barefoot in his native Cap-Haïtien.

• He joined his school team after moving to Massachusetts and played varsity for two years before training with the Seacoast United Soccer Club, taking public transit to New Hampshire four times a week, says his former coach and mentor, Corlton Simmonds.

Pierrot's parents and siblings, who live in Massachusetts, will see him play at Boston Stadium and will travel to cheer him on, as will Simmonds and his sons.

• "Over these years, I thought I was the coach, but I think he's the coach because he's coaching me, showing me anything is possible," said Simmonds, a former player and a coach for the Jamaican national team.