Heartbeat of a troubled nation

In every conversation

The topic of soccer finds its way into every conversation. It bridges generational and social divides, and is talked about in restaurants, supermarkets, in living rooms and over the airwaves.

"Soccer is probably one of the few spaces for socialization still accessible to a large segment of the youth. It is the quintessential conversation starter," said soccer fan Marc Donald Orphee, 35.

Even though the majority of the men's and women's national team players play abroad, that has not diminished the public's devotion to the national side.

Pierreline Nazon, 18, a star of the women's under-20s team, compares herself to Melchie Dumornay, a Haitian midfielder for OL Lyonnes, a top French team.

Nazon spoke to reporters as she took time out from a training session in the hills above Petion-Ville, a suburb of the capital spared from violence.

"My dream has always been to play soccer — to be like Melchie, and even to surpass her," she said.

"I know I will achieve this. That is why I keep training, seizing every opportunity to play, even though the situation in Haiti is difficult."