Kirk Urso

Kirk Urso 2012 headshot

Kirk Jon Urso (March 6, 1990 – August 5, 2012) was an American soccer player who played as a midfielder for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Early Life and Education

Kirk Urso was born in Lombard, Illinois. He attended Glenbard East High School and played youth soccer for the Chicago Sockers. Urso was recognized for his talent early on and was a member of the U.S. U17 National Team.

College Career

Urso played college soccer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the North Carolina Tar Heels men's soccer team from 2008 to 2011. During his time with the Tar Heels, he was a key player and helped lead the team to the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship in 2011.

Professional Career

Urso was selected by the Columbus Crew in the first round of the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft. He made six appearances for the Crew during the 2012 season.

International Career

Urso represented the United States at various youth levels. He was part of the U.S. U17 National Team from 2005 to 2007, earning 25 caps and scoring 2 goals. He also played for the U.S. U20 National Team from 2008 to 2009.

Death

Kirk Urso passed away on August 5, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio, due to a congenital heart defect. His death was a significant loss to the soccer community, and the Columbus Crew established the Kirk Urso Memorial Fund in his honor to support heart health research and programming.

Legacy

Urso's legacy continues through the Kirk Urso Memorial Fund, which aims to raise awareness and funds for heart health research. The Columbus Crew and the broader soccer community remember him for his contributions on and off the field.

See Also

• Columbus Crew
• North Carolina Tar Heels men's soccer
• United States men's national under-17 soccer team
• United States men's national under-20 soccer team