Daniel Cho obituary

A tribute to ESPN Soccernet writer Daniel Cho

July 13, 2010
By Soccernet staff

Daniel Cho was well-known as a session/touring musician and brilliant composer, most recently touring with Regina Spektor, and previously working with Coldplay, John Mayer and Katy Perry.

Daniel Cho
GettyImagesDaniel Cho the musician

But ESPNsoccernet's army of readers will remember him for his passion for the beautiful game. There is nothing he loved more than writing about football. He launched his own writing career by independently contacting players' managers and interviewing top Korean players.

One of Daniel's first interviews for Soccernet came back in January 2007 when he quizzed South Korea's Seol Ki-Hyeon about life in the Premier League, and he later spoke to Tottenham Hotspur's Lee Young-Pyo about his experiences in the English top flight.

He was an admirer of Bill Simmons but wrote in a style that was also all his own - with humour and emotion, and a deep knowledge of the game. He spent hours researching, writing and editing his ESPN posts for the 2010 World Cup. Daniel was also a key contributor for the 2006 World Cup.

He said the day the World Cup began was like Christmas morning for him. He loved football because it united the world in a special way - whatever your race, colour or creed, soccer is something everyone can enjoy.

Daniel Cho
GettyImagesDaniel Cho the football fan

Daniel Cho passed away in a swimming accident July 6, 2010, in Switzerland while on Regina Spektor's European tour. He leaves behind his wife and baby daughter, who were the true loves of his life. Words cannot describe the way he adored his wife and doted on his little girl. If you've met him, he's shown you a video of his little girl.

He lived with great passion and was driven to do the things he loved and was called to do, no matter what. He will be greatly missed by all of the lives he's touched and changed forever.

His time here was way too short, and the world has lost not only a huge talent, but a kind and gentle soul.

For more information Daniel's memorial service or to add your thoughts to the family's memorial book please click here.


• Click here for a full archive of Daniel Cho's posts for the 2010 World Cup.

  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Honduras defending well. ESPN just flashed stat - #USMNT with 62% of the possession. #USAvHON 0-0, 40'
    about a minute ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Altidore one touches it to Zusi who slashes towards goal. Hard tackle by honduras and Zusi crashes into the defender. No foul called.
    3 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Jones gathers the ball and blasts forward. Foul on Honduras,12-Peralta. He's shown a yellow ... Dempsey's free kick is into the wall.
    5 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Honduras sub 21-Rojas in for 13-Costly. Calf injury for Costly #USAvHON 0-0, 34'
    7 minutes ago     
  • DougMacESPN Doug McIntyre
    Losing Costly at this point in the match is a huge blow for Honduars. #USAvHON
    8 minutes ago     
  • DougMacESPN Doug McIntyre
    #usmnt needs to be wary of the quick give-and-go in behind the back line. Happened a few times vs Panama, too. #USAvHON
    11 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Jozy going hard, clips the Honduran defender who goes down. Referee tells Jozy "no more". He's one of the #USMNT playing on a yellow
    12 minutes ago     
  • DougMacESPN Doug McIntyre
    Omar Gonzalez still a little bit scary with the ball at his feet. #USAvHON
    13 minutes ago     
  • DougMacESPN Doug McIntyre
    Altitude might be a factor on some of these over-hit passes. #USAvHON
    14 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Evans gets forward but cant get the cross off after megging the first defender. 25'
    16 minutes ago     
  • D6MERIT Jay DeMerit
    2-0 #starsandstripes “@DaveDavies87: @D6MERIT score prediction on this Honduras vs Amurika match?”
    17 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    #USMNT controlling the possession. Honduras with limited chances so far. #USAvHON, 0-0 23'
    18 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Bradley collects and finds Dempsey in the box! he mistimes his header. All alone in the box Missed chance for #USMNT ... 21'
    20 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    a couple beautiful one timers from the #USMNT. F. Johnson puts the ball to top of 18 and EJ hits it first time. HON keeper pushes it wide
    22 minutes ago     
  • DougMacESPN Doug McIntyre
    Fabian Johnson really getting forward well. That was a terrific cross there. #USAvHON
    24 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    F. Johnson, Bradley and Dempsey flying all over the place. no fouls. U.S. corner kick. 0-0, 15'
    26 minutes ago     
  • robbierogers Robbie Rogers
    Hard days work with @juliefoudy @espn #outsidethelines #myrooftopsghetto http://t.co/YfSNyDwl9t
    27 minutes ago     
  • PCarrESPN Paul Carr
    That's 12 yellow cards in 32 #USMNT games for Jermaine Jones. Eight U.S. players on the field now have a yellow.
    29 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Honduras with the free kick but the wall did its job. #USAvHON, 0-0 12'
    29 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Turnover by Omar in the #USMNT third. Foul on Jones top of the 18. Jones given a yellow
    31 minutes ago     
  • ussoccer U.S. Soccer
    Zusi takes the corner. Dempsey with the header, but its over the bar. USAvHON, 0-0 9'
    32 minutes ago