Former Long Island Rough Riders defender Dahir Mohammed, who also played in Major League Soccer with the MetroStars and New England Revolution, has passed away.

He was 51 years old.

No cause of death was given for Mohammed, who died on Wednesday.

Steve Cadet, a former Rough Riders teammate and long-time friend, wrote a tribute to Mohammed on his Facebook page:

“40+ years of friendship, on and off the soccer field. I’m still numb to the news,” he said. “The world lost a GOOD PERSON. No matter what was happening, you always had a smile, which made others feel warm and happy. You touched so many lives throughout the years coaching and mentoring others to strive to reach their goals. I still recall our talk downstairs on my wedding day. As nervous and scared as I was about the life ahead, you reassured me of all the great things to come and how YOU KNEW I would do great as a husband and father.

Although our religions are different, I hope your soul finds peace in the afterlife. I will pray for your family and your daughters that they find the strength to deal with life moving forward. Your memory will always be with all of us. DAZZA will never be forgotten. LOVE YOU BROTHER 🙏”

A native of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mohammed was born on March 17, 1973. He emigrated to the United States as a boy, lived in Elmont, N.Y., and played for the Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club before attending C.W. Post College from 1991-94.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Mohammed played for the Rough Riders over three tenures: 1996-97, 2000, and 2004.

His best-known goal came in the Rough Riders’ 4-3 comeback win over the host Revolution during the 1997 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the second half, Mohammed headed home a Jim Rooney corner kick to lift Long Island to the Golden Goal and an improbable 4-3 triumph in the 108th minute.

After being selected in the seventh round of the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft, Mohammed played seven games for the Revolution. He also played three games for the MetroStars in 2000 and performed for the Connecticut Wolves and Staten Island Vipers. Additionally, he coached the Brooklyn Knights in 2007.

Prayers will be held for Mohammed at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, N.Y. (835 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, N.Y. 11590) on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. This will be followed by a viewing.

Burial will take place at Washington Memorial Park in Mount Sinai, N.Y. (855 Canal Road, Mount Sinai, N.Y. 11766), followed by a funeral reception at the ICLI.