FC Cincinnati midfielder Marco Angulo has passed away, five weeks after suffering serious injuries in a car accident.
The 22-year-old had been playing on loan at Ecuadorian club LDU Quito this season.
Angulo was involved in a single-car crash on a highway in Quito on Oct. 7 and died at a local hospital 35 days later. According to reports from Ecuador, he was one of five people in the car that crashed into a metal structure, and he is the third fatality in the accident.
Angulo is survived by his wife and young son.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Marco—a husband and father, a brother and son, a friend and teammate,” FC Cincinnati said in a statement. “He was a joyful, kind young man who lit up every room he entered. Our entire club grieves this tragedy, and we are thinking of and praying for his family. He was a cherished member of the FC Cincinnati family, and he will be missed.”
Angulo made 24 league appearances for FC Cincinnati last year in his first season with the club after he was acquired from Independiente del Valle during the offseason ahead of the 2023 Supporters’ Shield campaign. He began his career at Independiente Juniors in his native Ecuador before joining Independiente.
LDU Quito acquired Angulo on loan in March, and he made 20 appearances across all competition for the club, including his last one Oct. 6.
“It is with profound pain and sadness that we bring you the news of the death of our player, Marco Angulo,” LDU Quito said in a statement shared early Tuesday. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. His departure is an irreparable loss that will leave an indelible mark on our hearts. May he rest in peace.”
Angulo's passing comes as FCC had closed out its 2024 season with a first-round playoff exit following a penalty shootout loss to New York City FC in the decisive third game of the series Saturday. FC Cincinnati was scheduled to have end-of-season player availability Tuesday but has postponed that in light of the tragic news impacting the club.
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