Just five days ago, Dennis Marshall was scoring the equalizing goal for Costa Rica in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal against Honduras. On Thursday, the nation he represented is mourning his loss.
On Thursday afternoon, the 25-year-old defender and his girlfriend, Meylin Masis Castro, lost their lives in a car accident 30 miles east of the Costa Rican capital of San José. His car was reported to have collided head on with a large truck on a road known as Route 32 or Braulio Carrillo. The couple died before rescue crews could get to them.
“It’s a tough blow,” said Costa Rica manager Ricardo La Volpe. “He was a young guy with a big future and I send my most heartfelt condolences to his family.”
“Sadly this happens to a person who was well-liked,” said Marshall’s fellow defender José Salvatierra after Costa Rica national practice in preparation for July’s Copa América.
Reports by Costa Rican daily Al Día show photos of the accident and indicate that Marshall lost control of his Mazda, which was traveling at high velocity.
“To hear of a teammate that has died really impacts us,” Randall Brenes said. “It’s hit us hard. We were in shock hoping that it wasn’t him, but it’s already been confirmed. It’s very sad. … He was like a brother to all of us.”
Marshall, who was traveling from his grandfather’s funeral, will be buried in Limón, Costa Rica. He was scheduled to return to Denmark on July 3 to rejoin his Danish club side Aalborg.
