Daily News-Record

Jose Gallardo returned to his native Mexico last week to pursue his dream of playing professional soccer.

That dream ended in tragedy when the former Turner Ashby High School star died in a car accident there late Sunday night or early Monday morning, cutting short a life that was filled with love for family, friends and soccer.

"Jose loved life," said Jon Small, who played with Gallardo at Bridgewater College and against him in high school. "Whenever I remember him, I remember him smiling. He just really enjoyed life and living every moment."

Details of the accident were not available.

Gary Dewey, the welfare and whereabouts officer for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, said his office had no information of an American citizen with Gallardo's name dying in a car accident this week, but numerous sources close to Gallardo and his family confirmed the death.

Jose Romero, a teammate of Gallardo's on the El Charro soccer team, said a memorial service for Gallardo will be held Sunday at the Timberville soccer field off of Route 259 at 9 a.m. directly before the team's quarterfinal game in the Harrisonburg Soccer League playoffs.

Gallardo, 20, had traveled to Mexico to try out for a professional soccer team.

Small, who played at Harrisonburg High School, said Gallardo's family was in Mexico on Thursday, where the former TA standout was being buried.

Gallardo's younger brother, Miguel, is a rising sophomore at TA.

Gallardo was a four-year starter for the Knights' soccer team, impressing coach Phil Landes right from the start.

"He was the most controlled and relaxed player I ever had," Landes said Thursday. "Even as a freshman, I remember him being very composed.

"He was the kind of guy that had strong leadership skills. He led by example."

After graduating from TA in 2003 - finishing as the Valley District Player of the Year and an all-region and all-state selection - Gallardo went to play at Bridgewater. He played one season for the Eagles.

"He was a very driven young man who wanted to succeed," Bridgewater soccer coach Nino Altomonte said. "He loved the game. He would play 24 hours a day if the opportunity was there."

Gallardo took classes at Blue Ridge Community College last year and friends said he planned on returning to Bridgewater, where he would have been a junior, if he didn't catch on with a professional team in Mexico.

Billy Kingsley coached Gallardo from the ages of 12-16 with the Harrisonburg soccer association's travel team. He remembered Gallardo as more than a soccer talent.

"He was a very special kid," Kingsley said. "He was one the first Hispanic kids to cross over into the rest of the soccer community. He just brought different cultures together."

Gallardo, whose parents own El Charro restaurant in Harrisonburg, played for the team the restaurant sponsored.

Kinglsey said Gallardo's father, Roy, was with him in Mexico. It was unclear Thursday whether Roy Gallardo was involved in the accident.

Gallardo is the second captain from the 2003 Valley District champion TA boys' soccer team to die. Steve Wallace drowned last summer at Lake Erie at the age of 18.

"It's just unbelievable to lose both those kids," Landes said.
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