Dedicated to the Game: Claire Constant on Journey in Soccer, Overseas Career in Portugal, Bouncing Back From Injury, Time With DC Power FC, Playing for the Haitian National Team, and More
- The Ballers Magazine
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
Claire Constant has been surrounded by the world of soccer for as long as she can remember. "I started playing soccer by the time I could walk," Claire shares with a laugh as she reflects on her earliest memory in the sport. For her, soccer came naturally. Throughout her time in high school and college—at T.C. Williams High School and the University of Virginia respectively—, Claire continued to strengthen her skills on the pitch, deepen her knowledge of the game, and work towards her dream of playing soccer professionally. Sure enough, she did just that. Upon graduating from college, Claire headed overseas to Portugal and began her professional playing career. She had done it. She had achieved her childhood dream of playing soccer at the highest level and was more ready than ever to embark on this new chapter of her career. During the last week of her contract in Portugal though, everything changed. Claire suffered an ACL injury that not only ended her rookie season early, but also put the future of her soccer career in a limbo.
What now? What should she do in the face of adversity? Should she step away from the game and explore other avenues outside of soccer? Or, should she reframe the challenges to opportunities, focus on the things she could control, and give it all she got? For Claire, the answer was simple: in the midst of uncertainty, she was going to choose the latter and fight to get back on the pitch. She was on a mission. Before she knew it, all her hard work and dedication to return to the pitch had paid off. In 2024, Claire signed to play for DC Power FC in the Gainbridge Super League.
She hasn't looked back since. Currently in her second season with DC Power FC, Claire is thrilled to continue growing with the club and working towards a championship. In addition to this, she is looking forward to playing with the Haitian National Team and inching closer to her dreams of winning a World Cup. Through it all, there is one thing that's for certain: regardless of its ebbs and flows...Claire remains DEDICATED TO THE GAME!
Take us back to your freshman season at the University of Virginia! What were some challenges that you faced early on and how did you work to navigate through those?
I would say definitely speed of play was a big one; but our practices were so competitive that it made the games easier. Going into games, I felt comfortable and confident. I also played outside back a lot my freshman year—which I never really played in high school—, so I also think because I wasn't playing my position I kind of let that pressure go. I was like: “You know what Claire, you just have to go out there and do the best that you can at this position.” I think that helped a lot. I also think balancing having meetings all the time, having academic tutoring, and all these things—which I didn't have to do in high school really as much—was definitely something I had to learn and try to balance.
As you look back on your collegiate journey, how do you think your game elevated from freshman year to senior year?
I feel like I became a lot more mature on the field, a lot more mature on the ball, and a lot more mature in terms of my communication. I had a defensive coach for a couple of years there, Jaime Frias—he is now with the Houston Dash. He really transformed my game. I felt like I was playing my best soccer when he was there because, you know, he just taught me all the different elements and aspects of being a center-defender. I think some of it goes unnoticed and you don't really realize how many pieces it takes to be a quality center-back. So I feel like throughout my time there, I definitely had to mature as a player and learn how to communicate with those around me.
Let’s talk about taking that next step and embarking on your professional career overseas. During your first season, you played in Portugal. Could you give us a little bit of insight into your first year playing professionally?
I absolutely loved playing in Portugal. I think I went into it with very low expectations. I was just like, “Oh, I’ve never played overseas.” I had traveled a little bit with Haiti because I had joined the senior national team with Haiti my senior year of college, but I hadn't been overseas for an extended amount of time. So I went into this team, I didn't know any of the girls, I didn't speak Portuguese, and it was just one of the best experiences. I feel like I wasn't so focused on the soccer element of it. I know it might sound bad because obviously I was getting paid to play soccer, but I really went into it like: “This is my first experience. Live your life.” I think my experience with Haiti helped me going into the team in Portugal. I also made some really, really good friends on the team—that made the experience really wonderful. I tore my ACL out there (though), and I think that really changed my life and changed my career. But, it was a good experience overall.
Let’s dive more into that time of facing injury and tearing your ACL. How did you work to navigate through that time period of it being your first year playing pro, facing that major injury, and having to work your way back to the pitch?
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