Savy King of Angel City FC Recovering After Heart Surgery
Angel City FC defender Savy King was released from the hospital on Saturday, marking over a week since her collapse on the field during a match. Following the incident, King underwent surgery for a diagnosed heart abnormality.
Hospital Release and Recovery
On Sunday, King shared a positive update via social media, posting a photo of herself in the hospital while holding a heart-shaped pillow and giving a thumbs-up. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support she received:
“I’m still finding the words to express just how much your love and support have meant to me over these past few days,” she wrote. “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!”
Incident Overview
King, 20, collapsed during the second half of a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match against the Utah Royals on May 9. Medical staff attended to her for over ten minutes on the field before she was transported via ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Upon her arrival, she was diagnosed with a heart abnormality, requiring surgery on May 11. Her prognosis has been deemed favorable by the team.
Controversy Over Match Continuation
The incident deeply affected both players and fans present at the match, yet play continued, a decision that faced significant criticism. The NWSL Players Association released a statement condemning the choice to resume the game:
“These moments demand humanity, sound judgment, and restraint. Any medical emergency that requires the administration of life-saving care should bring play to an end. The match should not have continued.”
In response, the league acknowledged the misstep and stated its commitment to prioritizing player health and safety. A statement released on Friday noted:
“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.”
Team Solidarity and Future Actions
Following King’s release, Angel City played against Bay FC in their subsequent match on Saturday evening. In a show of solidarity, both teams donned shirts printed with “SK3” in honor of King, while Angel City captain Sarah Gorden held up King’s jersey during a pre-game photo.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized the importance of learning from this experience, stating, “All we could do is learn from the experience and conclude that in a future situation, we will ensure that our policies and protocols do not allow the game to continue.”
Player Background
King, originally the second pick in the 2024 NWSL draft for expansion team Bay FC, participated in 18 matches before being traded to Angel City in February. Since her transfer, she has made eight starts this season.