Up-and-coming MLS midfielder Marco Angulo died Nov. 11 as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash Oct. 7 in Ecuador.
The talented athlete, who most recently played in Ecuador’s Liga de Quito soccer league, was 22 years old. Angulo was traveling in a Ford Explorer with four other individuals at the time of the crash, local news outlet El Universo reported Monday. The vehicle proceeded through a construction zone on the highway, disregarding signs warning about work being done on the Rumiñahui highway, in the southeast of Quito in Ecuador, according to the same report, citing police. The car reportedly crashed into a metal structure that weighs 50 tons, pushing it roughly 5 meters.
ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 15: Marco Angulo #8 of FC Cincinatti during a game between FC Cincinnati and St. Louis City SC at CITYPARK on April 15, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
It’s not immediately clear if Angulo was the driver of the vehicle. The vehicle is registered to his sister, according to El Universo.
Angulo was rushed to hospital where he underwent a “decompressive craniectomy” operation, which extracted 300 cubic centimeters of blood, releasing the pressure of the traumatic injury to his head, according to El Universo. He also reportedly suffered a pulmonary contusion that required the placement of a chest tube, but no active bleeding was present in his lungs. He spent 35 days in hospital before he succumbed to his injuries, according to the outlet.
— FEF 🇪🇨 (@FEFecuador) November 12, 2024
Captain of the team, Ezequiel Piovi published an Instagram story with the caption, “may you rest in peace,” alongside images of himself with Angulo.
The Ecuadorian Football Federation released a statement on his passing and paid tribute to Angulo on social media. He “defended the colors of our country at every opportunity he had with his talent and dedication,” the organization said.
“Marco was not only an outstanding player, but a great teammate. He leaves a deep pain in our hearts.” (RELATED: Legendary Dodgers Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela Dead At 63)
Angulo played for FC Cincinnati from 2023 to 2024 after playing for two other Ecuadorian leagues prior.
QUITO, ECUADOR – AUGUST 31: Marco Angulo of Independiente del Valle controls the ball during a Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2022 first-leg semifinal match between Independiente del Valle and Melgar at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium on August 31, 2022 in Quito, Ecuador. (Photo by Franklin Jacome/Getty Images)
The car crash also claimed the lives of Ecuadorian league soccer players Roberto Cabezas Simisterra, a full-back for Independiente Juniors, and Víctor Charcopa Nazareno, cousin of Diogo Nazareno, from Cuniburo Fútbol Club, according to El Universo.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
