OREM Utah (ABC 4 News) - It has become a sad day for youth soccer in Orem and Provo.
11-year old Alan Zapata died after collapsing during a soccer game last week in Provo.
Hundreds of his classmates and teammates were hoping he'd pull through.
But his family took him off life support Wednesday and he died shortly thereafter.
"I'm devastated," says his father Emiliano Zapata. "I didn't expect this. It all happened so suddenly."
Alan Zapata wanted to be like his dad who played soccer in Mexican leagues in Utah County.
"He wanted to play professionally because he once told his mother he didn't want her working anymore and he was going to help," the father says.
But Zapata's dream won't happen. Last week he collapsed during a game and was taken to Primary Children's Hospital.
"He was never in a coma or even brain dead at the beginning," says his coach Ludwig Sanchez. "He was moving his arms, he was breathing on his own."
And while Alan lay in a hospital bed teammates, classmates and strangers kept vigil, writing letters to his family and posting messages on facebook.
"This is what I find rewarding," says Zapata. "Since he was young he always made friends and to see this I know he was loved by so many."
But for some unknown reason the 11-year old quickly took a turn for the worse. He didn't respond to treatment and Wednesday his family pulled him off life support.
Alan's father says it's a reminder for every parent to love every second of your child.
"I want to tell all parents to pay close attention to your children because I would hope no one ever has to go through this," he says.
Sanchez says Alan's cause of death is still a mystery. He says it will be another three months before they learn results from the medical examiner.
Friday, the family will hold a memorial service for Alan Zapata at the Sundberg-Olphin Mortuary, 495 South State beginning at 5 p.m.
Sanchez says there will be a memorial mass Saturday at St. Francis Asissi Catholic Church in Orem at 2 p.m.
He says the family will bury Alan in Mexico where he was born. But he says the family has very little money for all the costs needed to pay for the funeral and medical bills.
Sanchez says a trust fund has been set up at any Wells Fargo bank under: "Alan Zapata Donation Fund-Utah Futbol Club."
