Welcome everybody into this edition of Football America's alongside Hercules Gomez.

I'm Sebbi Salazar.

This is episode 201 of this show and I can guarantee you it will be unlike any other episode that we have done yet

and I hope that it is unlike any other episode that we will do in the future

because we are tasked with talking about a colleague and friend in the past tense.

Anyone who watches this show will know who Grant Wall is.

He was an icon of American soccer journalism and like many of you late last night we were terrified to hear the initial reports of Grant falling ill in the extra time session between Argentina and Netherlands.

He was covering the game at Los Alestadium.

We were more shocked and saddened to hear those reports confirmed that Grant was taken to a hospital.

Like many of you we were distraught when we got the final message this morning that Grant Wall passed away at the age of 48.

I think we are both probably still to be honest in shock.

I want to get your feelings on this in just a minute but I think it is appropriate to start with some of the reaction that we have seen

around the soccer world and probably no better place to start than with the statement that was released by the US Soccer Federation.

A federation that has for a long time worked hand in hand with Grant Wall throughout his illustrious career.

This is from the US Soccer Statement.

The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wall.

Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game.

The statement will go on.

Grant's passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interests in and respect for our beautiful game.

As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was and will remain an inspiration to all.

The statement closes with an offer of condolences to those new Grant best, including his family, friends and colleagues.

And as you can see here, ahead of tonight's matches on the FIFA official Twitter account, a tribute to Grant Wall who was covering this his seventh men's World Cup.

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