Angel City defender Savy King is recovering from heart surgery after collapsing on the field during a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match against the Utah Royals. The incident occurred in the 74th minute, prompting immediate medical attention. King was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where doctors identified a heart abnormality and performed surgery on Tuesday. The team reported that King is now resting with her family and has an excellent prognosis.
King’s family expressed gratitude in a statement, thanking the Angel City medical staff, her teammates, and hospital personnel for their care. They noted the overwhelming support from the Angel City community and soccer fans nationwide, saying, “We are blessed to share Savy is recovering well and we are looking forward to having her home with us soon.”
The game was visibly affected, and players from both teams were shaken by the incident. King was attended to for approximately ten minutes before being removed from the field on a stretcher. Following the incident, the NWSL acknowledged the need to review their game management policies for emergencies, stating that certain conditions may warrant the postponement of games for safety.
Despite the disruption, Angel City went on to win the match 2-0. King, 20, was the second overall pick in the 2024 NWSL draft and had recently traded to Angel City, where she started all eight games this season. The incident has raised discussions in the league about protocol during emergencies, emphasizing the importance of player safety.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
