Columbus, Ohio -- The Columbus Crew says midfielder Kirk Urso has died.
Team spokesman Marco Rosa says details of Urso's death are still being determined. Police in Columbus did not immediately return a call seeking more details.
Urso had been injured and Rosa says he was not with the team for its 1-0 loss Saturday to D.C. United in Washington.
The 22-year-old Urso had been in his first season with the Crew. A native of Lombard, Ill., he was the captain of North Carolina's NCAA title-winning team last fall and for the U.S. under-17 World Cup team in 2007. Urso also played for the Guilford Co.-based Carolina Dynamo Futbol Club.
UNC-Chapel Hill Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham issued the following statement about Urso's death:
"In the very brief time I spent with Kirk it became evident that he was a natural leader. His enthusiasm was contagious to all who knew him. He had a positive and inspirational impact on his team, and many other student-athletes at Carolina. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to Kirk's family and friends. His teammates and fellow students are devastated by the news and we will do all we can to support them and his family in this incredibly tragic and sorrowful time."
The Associated Press