Cleveland City Stars are the Professional United Soccer Leagues

Clearly Ricardo's work paid off, as the Lee University graduate now speaks six different languages. His native tongues are French and Creole, the two official languages of Haiti, but Ricardo also worked ambitiously in high school to learn Spanish. "Spanish was always my favorite subject in school," he says. "It inspired me to learn more languages."

Ricardo next added Portuguese and Italian to his repertoire.  Fluent in so many different languages, Ricardo now often finds himself playing the role of translator for friends, family and coworkers. It has taken a large role in his soccer career as well, translating for fellow players that don't speak the same language as their teammates.

"As a player, you travel a lot and are always in a new place with people from different cultures, backgrounds and places," he says. "I think that language is a link that can connect people, and I am happy to translate and communicate for people."

At the City Stars' practices and training sessions, Ricardo often translates for several players that only speak French, but the Haitian national doesn't feel that it's an inconvenience. "I am happy to translate for people," says Ricardo. "I feel like by helping them, I can learn more about my teammates and where they come from, as well as help introduce them to these new languages and cultures."

Ricardo played the 2008 season with the Columbus Crew, who won the MLS cup. He was drawn to Cleveland by the mission of the City Stars. "I feel that I have a God-given talent, and I can use it to spread a message to the world," says Ricardo.  "If I can use it to reach out and connect with needy children and families, then I have succeeded."

No stranger to poverty and need, Ricardo's home country is plagued with problems and civil unrest. Soccer is incredibly popular in Haiti, and Ricardo sees it as a vehicle for peace. "I believe we can find peace through soccer. It is a common ground," he says.  Ricardo spread this message as he was capped 26 times by the Haitian national team. The ambitious forward scored six goals and won Caribbean championships with the Haiti U-17 and U-20 national teams, which he captained.

"It is amazing to be able to represent your country," Ricardo says. "And it is also important to reach out to other countries and cultures. I hope that I can make an impact through soccer and language, and reach out to other people."