St. Louis City SC Midfielder’s Wife Passes Away at 28 Following Brain Cancer Battle

The soccer community is mourning the loss of Ilona Lowen, who passed away at age 28 after courageously fighting brain cancer. She was the wife of St. Louis City SC midfielder Eduard Lowen.

St. Louis City SC announced the tragic news through an official statement on their social media platforms. The organization expressed their solidarity with Eduard and others affected by this devastating loss, requesting the team’s supporters to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers during this challenging period.

The club’s statement honored Ilona’s memory, describing her as an extraordinary person who embodied love, humility, and compassion, emphasizing that her absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew her.

Ilona’s health struggles began in 2024 when she started experiencing intense headaches. Her condition deteriorated despite undergoing several surgical procedures, and medical professionals eventually delivered the heartbreaking news that her cancer had advanced to Stage 4, making it terminal. She had previously received treatment for a non-malignant brain tumor.

Throughout his wife’s illness, Eduard Lowen has been notably absent from the soccer field this season. During the team’s opening match, he publicly discussed his dedication to supporting his wife and his determination to remain by her side throughout her medical journey.

Speaking to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the German midfielder explained his priorities, stating that while they received tremendous support from loved ones, there were specific moments and responsibilities that only he could handle as her husband. He emphasized his desire to personally care for her and acknowledged that unexpected situations sometimes required him to step away from his professional commitments.

In a touching display of solidarity this past February, Eduard’s teammates demonstrated their support by holding up his number 10 jersey before a match against Charlotte FC, showing their backing for their colleague during his family’s difficult time.

The 29-year-old Eduard Lowen began his professional career in Germany before joining St. Louis City SC in 2022. Throughout his MLS tenure, he has appeared in 71 regular-season matches, starting 62 of them, and has contributed 17 goals and nine assists to his team’s efforts.