The matches might have been friendlies, but the opposition for Peterson Joseph, Mechack Jerome and their countrymen was some of the stiffest in the world.
The two Haitian internationals, who play in the midfield and at right back respectively for Sporting Kansas City, both saw duty for Les Grenadiers as they tuned up for Gold Cup play with a pair of friendlies against Confederations Cup squads Spain and Italy.
Haiti hung tough against Spain's defending World Cup and UEFA champions, losing 2-1 in Miami, and drew the Azzurri 2-2 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“When you play against those top players, you get a different sense of their mentality,” Joseph told MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday. “They're very professional. It was very good for me to play against them.”
Jerome also said he was glad for the opportunity to take on the two European powers.
“Those are two of the best teams in the world,” he said. “It was a good experience for me, and now I can come back and help out my team here.”
Haiti's strong showings in the friendlies should give Jerome and Joseph a lift in club play, Sporting manager Peter Vermes said.
“Any time you get international experience, whether it's those two teams or anyone else, it's always a bit help to your confidence and your routine and everything else,” Vermes said. “Hopefully, the experience will help them continue to grow as players.”
Though they didn't get to see Brazil, the Confederations Cup host and another title favorite, neither had any doubt that Haiti had played against the eventual champions in Florida.
“Spain, for sure. Spain's going to win this, and the World Cup, too,” Joseph said. “They don't give away the ball. They keep the ball for 90 minutes.”
