MLS Goalkeeper Dies Suddenly At 25

Holden Trent, the backup goalkeeper for the Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer club, passed away on Saturday at the age of 25, according to a statement released by the team.

The team did not provide a cause of death, though his family announced that he had been in the intensive care unit in a hospital through Trent’s Instagram page. “We want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the family said in a follow-up statement, adding that Holden passed away while surrounded by family and friends.

“The Philadelphia Union is devastated by the heartbreaking passing of Holden Trent,” the team said in a statement of their own. “While he was a wonderful player and fierce competitor, he was more importantly a devoted son, brother, fiancé, and teammate who made those around him better. He embodied the true meaning of determination, dedication and perseverance, and he will be deeply missed.”

Trent, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, was selected with the 28th pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft out of High Point University. He had yet to make an appearance with the club’s top flight team this season, though he did play in several games for Union II.

“Major League Soccer joins the Philadelphia Union and our entire soccer community in mourning the tragic passing of Union goalkeeper Holden Trent,” MLS wrote in an X post on Saturday.

A cause of death has not yet been determined as of this report.