Red Bulls youth coach killed in NYC

NEW YORK (AP)

TRAGIC SPORTS DEATHS

Remembering the many athletes sports lost way too soon.

A 25-year-old youth soccer coach was fatally slashed in the neck and torso and his ear was cut off in one of New York City's busiest neighborhoods last weekend, and police Monday were hunting for the suspected killer.

Michael Jones, a native of Liverpool, England, was a coach with the New York Red Bulls Youth Training Program. He lived in West Harrison, in Westchester County.

He was on 14th Street in Manhattan's Union Square at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday when he was seen arguing with a man. Jones had earlier been out with his girlfriend but they parted around midnight, police said. Police were called to the bloody scene where Jones lay on the street. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police late Sunday released surveillance footage of the suspected slasher, a man with a ponytail wearing a dark jacket. No arrests have been made.

The New York Red Bulls issued a statement, calling Jones a ''fantastic coach who loved soccer.''

''This is truly a sad day for our soccer community and we will do our utmost to help authorities in their investigation of this case. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael's family at this time,'' the team said.

The New York Red Bulls are a Major League Soccer team.