Holden Trent

Holden Trent (July 7, 1999 – October 26, 2024) was an American soccer player who played as a goalkeeper.

Early life

Trent was born Greensboro, North Carolina, on July 7, 1999. He played youth soccer with the North Carolina Fusion and the Carolina Rapids.

College career

In 2017, Trent attended West Virginia University, but did not play with the soccer team.

In 2018, he began attending High Point University, where he played for the men's soccer team. He redshirted his freshman season. Over his time at High Point, he was named the Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Week seven times, Big South All-Conference First Team three times, the 2022 Big South All-Tournament Team, and 2022 All-South Region Team. He was also named the South Region Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021 and 2022.

Club career

In 2018, Trent played with the Carolina Dynamo (later re-named North Carolina Fusion U23) in the Premier Development League. He continued with the team in 2019.

In 2021, he joined the Des Moines Menace in USL League Two. In 2022, he played with South Georgia Tormenta FC 2.

At the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, Trent was selected in the first round (28th overall) by the Philadelphia Union. In February 2023, he signed a one-year contract with club options from 2024 through 2026 with the club. At the end of the 2023 season, the club picked up his option for the 2024 season. During his time with the Union, he made six appearances on loan with the second team in MLS Next Pro.

Death

On October 23, 2024, Trent's family announced that he had been hospitalized. On October 26, 2024, he died at the age of 25. It was later announced that just prior to his death, he made the decision to become a registered organ donor.

Following his death, his family launched the Holden Trent Goal 13 Foundation, an organization to honor his legacy by helping other athletes and the Holden Trent Soccer Scholarship was created at High Point University that will be awarded to a first generation player on the school soccer team who demonstrates leadership and dedication to the sport.