Angel City defender Savy King has been released from the hospital following successful heart surgery. This marks the start of her recovery period, approximately a week after she experienced a medical emergency during a match against the Utah Royals.
In a statement released Sunday, Angel City confirmed, “Savy King was discharged from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center yesterday, May 17, and is home with her family resting comfortably.” The club expressed deep gratitude for the “expert medical care” provided by Cedars-Sinai professionals in collaboration with their own medical team, adding that Angel City FC “is prepared to support Savy as she continues her recovery.”
King herself shared an update on Sunday via Instagram, posting photos from the hospital and expressing her thanks to those who sent well wishes.
“I`m still finding the words to express just how much your love and support have meant to me over these past few days,” King wrote. She added, “What I do know is that I wouldn`t be getting through this without my incredible family by my side, my amazing teammates who have shown up for me and prayed for me, the fans, the entire soccer community, and the outstanding medical team here at ACFC who saved my life and cared for me every step of the way. I know God`s got me and I`m looking forward to recovering and getting back out on the field!”
The incident occurred on May 9 during the second half of Angel City`s match against the Royals. King collapsed and received medical attention on the field for approximately 10 minutes before being substituted and transported to a Los Angeles hospital. She was diagnosed with a heart abnormality and underwent successful corrective surgery on Tuesday.
The league`s decision not to stop the game following the medical emergency drew significant criticism. Among those who voiced concerns were Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets and USWNT player Trinity Rodman, who stated on Instagram that the game “in no world should that game have continued.”
Following the incident, the NWSL Players Association pushed for a policy change that would ensure games are abandoned if a player requires life-saving medical attention on the field, as was the case with King.
NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke commented on the situation in an interview, asking, “If player safety is of paramount importance, then I`m wondering what other factors could possibly be at play in a life-saving situation here?” She argued for a clear rule, stating, “We`re making it too hard. This is a very straightforward decision. Life-saving measures on the field to revive a player or stabilize a player – or coach or referee – the game should stop playing … and this is the reason that the players are asking for a bright-line rule.”
The NWSL later acknowledged on Friday that the match should not have been allowed to continue and announced a change in their policy for future events.
In a statement, the NWSL said, “Having reviewed our protocols and how they were implemented, and in listening to feedback from our stakeholders, the Angel City vs. Utah game last Friday night should not have continued and we regret that it did.” They added, “The health and well-being of the entire NWSL community remains our top priority, and in any similar situation going forward the game should and would be abandoned.”
King was clearly in her teammates` thoughts when Angel City played again on Saturday. Angel City players arrived for their match against Bay FC wearing black shirts displaying “SK3,” representing King`s initials and jersey number. Bay FC`s starting players also wore these shirts before the game began.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman attended the Saturday match, which Bay FC won 2-0. Speaking to the media, Berman referred to King`s medical emergency as a valuable learning experience.
Berman stated, “As we went through that and regrouped internally, we, of course, came to the conclusion that the game should not have continued and that we were committed – and are committed – to ensuring that in a similar situation moving forward that it wouldn`t happen again.” She concluded by saying, “Everything that we do, every season gives us an opportunity to learn and do better and that`s what we`re committed to do going forward.”
