The soccer world is mourning a heartbreaking loss after the wife of St. Louis City SC midfielder Eduard Löwen passed away following a long battle with cancer.
Ilona Löwen died on March 9, 2026, after fighting brain cancer for two years. She was 28 years old, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
St. Louis City confirmed the tragic news in a statement shared by the club.
“After a two-year battle with cancer, Ilona Löwen passed away this morning, March 9, 2026,” the team said. “We grieve alongside Edu and all those impacted by this loss and ask the City community to keep them in your prayers during this difficult time. Ilona was a beautiful example of love, humility, and kindness and will be deeply missed.”
Eduard Löwen, a German midfielder who joined the MLS club in 2022, first revealed his wife’s diagnosis in 2024. During that time, he stepped away from the team to support her during treatment.
He took another leave of absence in 2025 before returning later in the season, but he has not yet appeared in a match for St. Louis this year.
Major League Soccer also released a statement expressing sympathy for Löwen and his family.
“We’re heartbroken to hear of Ilona Löwen’s passing, and we send our deepest condolences and love to Eduard Löwen, his family, and the entire St. Louis City community,” the league said.
St. Louis City also shared a message from the Löwen family’s pastor, Marc Sikma, who reflected on the couple’s faith during this difficult time.
“Edu and Ilona built their life on faith in Christ, and we find comfort in knowing Ilona’s suffering is over and that she is now in the eternal presence of her Savior,” the message said.
Löwen signed with St. Louis City SC in 2022 as a designated player after spending the earlier years of his professional career playing in Germany.
Since joining Major League Soccer, he has recorded 17 goals and nine assists across 71 regular-season matches.