Duke Lacroix is one of the most decorated defenders in USL Championship history — and now, a 2026 FIFA World Cup player representing Haiti.
As a key figure at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and one of the first active USL players ever selected for a World Cup squad, Lacroix has built a respected career spanning over a decade in professional soccer.
This article covers Duke Lacroix’s net worth, his salary, contract, career earnings, and the full story behind his rise.
Duke Lacroix’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Markhus “Duke” Lacroix |
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1993 |
| Age | 32 |
| Place of Birth | New Egypt, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality | Haitian-American |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Position | Left-Back / Defender |
| Current Club | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC |
| Turned Professional | 2015 |
| Net Worth | ~$500,000 (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | ~$60,000–$80,000 (estimated) |
| International Caps | 15 caps, 3 goals (Haiti) |
Early Life & Career
Duke Lacroix was born on October 14, 1993, in New Egypt, New Jersey, to parents Mariel and Patrick Lacroix. Growing up in a Haitian-American household, he showed extraordinary athletic ability from a young age.
He attended The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, excelling in both soccer and track and field.
On the track, he was part of the 4×400 relay team that won a title at the prestigious Penn Relays.
He also competed in the East Coast Relays and earned multiple all-prep honors from the Trentonian and Trenton Times.
Lacroix was selected to represent the United States at youth level, earning call-ups to the U.S. Under-14 and Under-15 Boys National Teams before joining the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team player pool through New Jersey’s Olympic Development Program.
He went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he played four seasons of college soccer from 2011 to 2014. His impact at Penn was historic.
He became only the third player in program history to earn All-Ivy League honors all four seasons, winning the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award in 2011, Second-Team All-Ivy in 2012, and First-Team All-Ivy in both 2013 and 2014.
In 2013, he was named the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year. He graduated as a two-time captain with 68 appearances — third most in Penn history — and 65 career points (25 goals, 15 assists), which ranked fifth all-time.
His combination of academic excellence and on-field brilliance made him one of the most complete student-athletes Penn men’s soccer has ever produced.
Professional Career
After graduating from Penn in 2014, Lacroix prepared for the MLS SuperDraft but ultimately went undrafted, largely because he chose to complete his degree.
He joined North American Soccer League side Indy Eleven in May 2015, making his professional debut and scoring the game-winner in a 3–0 victory over FC Edmonton on June 13, 2015.
He went on to score the 2016 NASL Goal of the Year during his two seasons with the club, totalling 34 appearances and three goals.
He then moved through several USL Championship clubs, signing with Orange County SC in 2017, Reno 1868 FC in 2018, and Charlotte Independence in 2020.
He had his most consistent spell at Sacramento Republic FC from 2021 to 2022, recording one goal, five assists, and maintaining an 80% passing accuracy over two seasons.
In December 2022, Lacroix joined Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, where he truly hit his stride.
As confirmed by the Switchbacks’ official roster page, he was an integral part of the side that won the 2024 USL Championship title, logging 2,692 minutes during the season, making 22 interceptions, 69 clearances, and winning 74.4% of his tackles.
He re-signed with the club in November 2024 for the 2025 season, and his contract was extended again in December 2025 through November 2026, according to Transfermarkt’s player profile.
His international journey began in 2024 when he was called up to represent Haiti.
In May 2026, as reported by USL Championship, Lacroix was named to Haiti’s 26-player 2026 FIFA World Cup squad — becoming one of the first active USL Championship players ever selected for the tournament. Haiti, competing in its first World Cup since 1974, faces Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco in Group C.
Duke Lacroix’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Duke Lacroix’s has an estimated net worth of $500,000.
He built this wealth over more than a decade as a professional soccer player across multiple USL Championship clubs, along with income from his international career with Haiti.
Contract
Lacroix joined Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on January 1, 2023, and his contract runs through November 30, 2026, with his most recent extension signed on December 19, 2025.
This makes him one of the longest-serving players at the club. His retention through successive extensions reflects how central he has become to the Switchbacks’ defensive setup.
The contract details remain undisclosed publicly, as is standard practice across USL Championship clubs.
Salary
The minimum salary in the current USL Championship CBA for 2025 is $2,600 per month for a 10-month contract, which includes salary, bonuses, housing allowance, and health insurance.
However, as a veteran defender with over a decade of professional experience, a 2024 championship title, and a World Cup call-up, Lacroix commands significantly above the league minimum.
Based on comparable salaries for experienced USL Championship starters — where players can earn between $35,000 to $70,000 per year depending on experience, position, and impact — Lacroix’s estimated annual salary sits in the range of $60,000 to $80,000.
This estimate aligns with what experienced, starting defenders earn at competitive USL Championship clubs.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Estimated Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2015–2016 | Indy Eleven (NASL) | ~$25,000–$35,000 |
| 2017 | Orange County SC (USL) | ~$30,000–$40,000 |
| 2018–2019 | Reno 1868 FC (USL) | ~$35,000–$45,000 |
| 2020 | Charlotte Independence (USL) | ~$30,000–$40,000 |
| 2021–2022 | Sacramento Republic FC (USL) | ~$40,000–$55,000 |
| 2023 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) | ~$55,000–$70,000 |
| 2024 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) | ~$60,000–$75,000 |
| 2025 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) | ~$65,000–$80,000 |
| 2026 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) | ~$65,000–$80,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Indy Eleven | NASL | 34 | 3 | — |
| 2017 | Orange County SC | USL | — | — | — |
| 2018–19 | Reno 1868 FC | USL | 34+ | — | — |
| 2020 | Charlotte Independence | USL | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | Sacramento Republic FC | USL | — | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | USL | 24 | 1 | 2 |
| 2024 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | USL | 32 | — | — |
| 2024– | Haiti | International | 15 | 3 | — |
- Career total USL appearances: 226+ (regular season and playoffs).
FAQs
What is Duke Lacroix’s net worth?
Duke Lacroix’s estimated net worth is around $500,000. He accumulated this through over a decade of professional soccer contracts across the NASL and USL Championship.
How much does Duke Lacroix earn per year?
Lacroix’s estimated annual salary at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is between $60,000 and $80,000, placing him in the upper tier of USL Championship earners based on his experience and role.
Is Duke Lacroix playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Lacroix was named to Haiti’s 26-player 2026 FIFA World Cup squad in May 2026, making him one of the first active USL Championship players ever called up to the tournament.
What clubs has Duke Lacroix played for professionally?
He has played for Indy Eleven, Orange County SC, Reno 1868 FC, Charlotte Independence, Sacramento Republic FC, and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, where he won the 2024 USL Championship title.
Where is Duke Lacroix from?
Duke Lacroix was born in New Egypt, New Jersey, USA. He is of Haitian descent and represents Haiti internationally, having earned 15 caps and scoring 3 goals for Les Grenadiers.
