MLS youth coach from England fatally stabbed

NEW YORK (AFP) –

Roses are left next to where the body of Michael Jones, a youth soccer coach, was found early Sunday morning outside the Levi’s store in New York City. Emergency responders found the 25-year-old native of Liverpool, England, laying in a pool of blood with numerous stab wounds to his neck and torso and was soon pronounced dead.

Michael Jones, a 25-year-old Englishman who was a coach with the youth training program of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls, was fatally slashed in the neck, police said Monday.

The Liverpool native was in Manhattan early Sunday morning after having been out with his girlfriend until midnight. Witnesses told police he was arguing with a man.

His body was later found on a blood-splattered street, police later saying Jones had been stabbed in the neck and torso and one of his ears had been cut off. Jones was taken to Bellevue Hospital where he was declared dead.

Police were on the hunt Monday for his slayer, the suspected stabber being a man with a ponytail wearing a dark jacket, according to video surveillance footage released by authorities.

“We are aware of this tragedy and on behalf of the entire organization, want to send our most heartfelt condolences to Michael’s family, friends and loved ones,” the Red Bulls said in a statement.

“He was a tremendous individual, a fantastic coach who loved soccer and a terrific friend for many of us. This is truly a sad day for our community and we will do our utmost to help authorities in their investigation of this case.”