Edward Eid, longtime general manager of the Colorado State Soccer Associations’ adult leagues, died Wednesday of a massive stroke in Munich, Germany. He was 67.
Hours before Eid and his wife, Ramona, were to attend the World Cup semifinal match between France and Portugal, Eid suffered a minor stroke and went to a Munich hospital, according to his son, Troy. He then suffered a second stroke.
In addition to his work with the CSSA, Eid was a big supporter of the Colorado Rapids, who will honor him with a minute of silence before Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Wizards at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“I don’t know anyone that was a bigger fan of the Rapids than my dad,” Troy Eid said.
In the 1980s, Edward Eid was heavily involved with indoor soccer, specifically the Colorado Comets, whom he took behind the Iron Curtain for games in the 1980s.
While as an assistant coach, Eid helped the Comets win a national championship in 1985. He became president and treasurer of the CSSA in 1991 and was involved with the sport on numerous levels, including publishing and international competition.
He received a special commendation from the Soviet Union Football Federation in 1990 for advancing relations between the countries. He also was honored by the Egyptian Football Federation in 1993.
Dr. Bob Contiguglia, former president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, said Eid, who could speak six languages, was active in reaching out to minority soccer teams and leagues throughout the state.
“He was very passionate,” Contiguglia said Thursday from his Denver home.
Eid was classically trained and emigrated to the U.S. from Egypt in 1958 to escape the rule of Gamal Abdel Nasser. He arrived with $100 and was active in real estate and soccer.
“He really was one of the people that lived the American dream,” said Troy Eid, who was nominated for U.S. attorney June 9.
