FC Dallas Loses Academy Player Jose Perez In Auto Accident

Man, another tough break for the FC Dallas soccer community. This morning academy player Jose Perez died after an early morning car accident. Reports say Perez was riding in the back of the vehicle when a car ran a red light. Perez was also not wearing a seat belt. 

Perez had just started his freshman year at San Jacinto College and was on his way to practice at the campus when the accident occurred.

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"Today is another very sad day for the entire FC Dallas community," said Hunt Sports Group Vice President Dan Hunt. "The passing of Jose Perez is a tragedy that is hard to conceive. He was a fine young man with a very bright and promising future. Jose was a pleasure to be around both on and off the field and he will be greatly missed by all of us."

"Jose was such a significant part of our team and was loved and respected by all who knew him," said FC Dallas Director of Player Development Oscar Pareja. "He was the type of player any coach is lucky to have... genuine, honest, and extremely hard working. He was an ambassador for this program and for this club. Whether you look at his time at Residency with the U.S. National team, or as an inaugural member of our Academy program, Jose made us incredibly proud. Our prayers are with his family and his teammates during this tragic and devastating loss."

The young midfielder played 30 games for the FC Dallas Academy last season, making 24 starts and recording six goals. He played the first half of the squad's 2-1 loss to Pateadores in the U.S. Development Academy Final on July 15. Perez also was a member of the FC Dallas U18 team that defeated Barcelona, 3-1, at this year's Dallas Cup. Perez netted the second FC Dallas goal of that match.

In lieu of flowers, please support the family with funeral expenses. Donations can be sent to Antonio Perez at 605 Del Paso, Apt. 249, Euless, TX 76040.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Perez family tonight.