Angel City defender Savy King is reportedly responsive and receiving medical care at a hospital following her collapse during the second half of the NWSL match against Utah Royals on Friday, which Angel City won 2-0.
The incident occurred in the 74th minute when King fell to the ground. She received immediate medical attention on the field for approximately ten minutes before being substituted off for Megan Reid and transported to a local hospital for comprehensive evaluation.
In a statement released Friday, Angel City confirmed, “Savy was transported by EMS to the hospital following a medical event on the field. She is responsive and undergoing further evaluation. We thank everyone for their concern and support.”
The NWSL issued a subsequent statement on Saturday, confirming that King was still undergoing evaluation and indicating that the league might consider updating its policy regarding such incidents after gameplay resumed.
In their statement, the NWSL reiterated that Savy left the field in stable condition and remained stable while evaluations continued. They stated that league protocols were followed by both medical and game operations staff, expressing gratitude to Angel City`s medical team and local paramedics. The league also mentioned their standard practice of reviewing protocols and considering changes, while sharing widespread concern for Savy and extending thoughts to her, her family, and both teams` communities.
The decision to continue the game after King`s substitution drew criticism, despite it being permitted by league rules and not uncommon in the sport. The NWSL`s 2025 rules do allow for potential game delays or cancellations in the event of serious incidents. Among the critics was Utah Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets, who felt the match should not have resumed.
“In those moments, I`m not sure if we should have continued the game,” Coenraets said after the match. “You`re emotionally — not only them, but also our players were just scared. That`s not the right situation to be in, but in the end, we played on. That`s the decision other people have taken, which is fine. It was a really tough moment… Yes, you have the result of the game, but you want to make sure people feel safe, healthy, and good, and I think that was the focus after the game for us.”
Trinity Rodman, a prominent player for the U.S. women`s national team and Washington Spirit, echoed this sentiment on Instagram Stories, writing:
“Prayers for [King] as well as her loved ones and the players that were on that field. In no world should that game have continued…”
Scary situation to be in
Angel City assistant coach Eleni Earnshaw, who was acting head coach, confirmed that club medical staff and King`s family were with her at the hospital. Earnshaw praised her players` response, highlighting defender Megan Reid, a trained paramedic, who helped calm the team by observing King being moved to a stretcher as a positive sign. Earnshaw commended Reid for stepping into “paramedic mode” and the team for staying communicative and focused despite the distress.
Following the match, players from both Angel City and Utah Royals gathered together at midfield, initiated by Utah`s Alex Lorea, a former teammate of King`s at Bay FC.
Earnshaw explained the gathering`s purpose: “It was one of the Utah players that suggested it… Just to show unity in that moment in support of Savy without knowing the update at that time.” She acknowledged it was a “scary situation” bigger than football and expressed gratitude for the opposing player`s gesture.
Currently, no specific details regarding King`s condition or a potential timeline for her return to play have been released.
