The soccer community lost a budding star defenseman, as his club team, LDU Quito in Ecuador, announced Marco Angulo’s death Monday.
The defensive midfielder was on loan from Major League Soccer squad FC Cincinnati.
Angulo, 22, was driving his sister’s Ford Explorer in October at 4:30 a.m. when the accident that killed two other passengers occurred, according to The Sun.
While driving on the Rumiñahui highway, Angulo reportedly drove into a 50-ton structure, resulting in immediate injuries.
He required a surgery known as decompressive craniectomy, which took massive amounts of blood, per the report.
Angulo also suffered a lung contusion, further complicating his recovery efforts.
Thirty-five days after the crash, Angulo was pronounced dead.
Roberto Cabezas Simisterra and Víctor Charcopa Nazareno, both 22, were also killed in the crash.
Angulo previously played twice for Ecuador’s national team, appearing most recently in their March 2023 2-1 win over Australia.
“With profound pain and sadness, we regret to inform the passing of our beloved player Marco Angulo,” LDU Quito said in a statement posted on social media.
“His departure is an irreparable loss that will leave an indelible mark in our hearts.”
Club captain Ezequiel Piovi added on Instagram: “May you rest in peace.”
Angulo had also been a valuable substitute for FC Cincinnati and was expected to carry the same role for LDU Quito.
The late-22-year-old played in 18 matches in 2024 with no goals or assists on his record.
