Columbus Crew rookie Kirk Urso died last night, the club announced. He was 22.
The details of Urso’s death are still being determined. The midfielder had been recovering from adductor tendinitis and did not accompany the Crew to Washington, where they fell 1-0 to D.C. United on Saturday.
A first-round supplemental draft pick out of North Carolina, Urso played the full 90 minutes in Columbus’ first five matches this season but had been sidelined by various injuries since April 28.
Urso this past fall captained the Tar Heels to the College Cup title to cap off a standout four-year career in Chapel Hill.
The Illinois native also spent eight years with the highly regarded Chicago Sockers FC youth program and represented the U.S. at the 2007 Under-17 World Cup in South Korea.
Sunday morning’s reserve match between the Crew and United has been postponed.
