The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is reviewing its current process regarding serious medical incidents on the field following Angel City FC defender Savy King’s collapse during a game on Friday against Utah Royals. Medical staff carried King off the field on a stretcher and transported her to a local hospital, and the game resumed 16 minutes after she initially received medical attention. “Player Safety is paramount to the NWSL. The seriousness of this incident requires a deliberate process that is careful and methodical,” the league said in a statement on Wednesday. “That process is underway and will include necessary revisions that prioritize the consideration of player, staff and fan well-being.” The league’s statement comes at the same time that the NWSL Player Association released its own statement saying that the game should have been suspended, as should all games that require life-saving care. “These moments demand humanity, sound judgment, and restraint,” the Players Association said in a statement. “Any medical emergency that requires the administration of life-saving care should bring play to an end. The match should not have continued. “Our members are elite, world class competitors who have proven they can perform under unimaginable conditions. That does not mean they should have to.” King, 20, underwent successful surgery to address a heart abnormality on Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after being transferred from immediate care at California Hospital Medical Center on Saturday morning. She collapsed on Friday, roughly 74 minutes into Angel City’s match against the Royals at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, and quickly received on-field medical attention.
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King collapsed on the field during Friday’s match against the Utah Royals.
Both the NWSL and the Players Association praised the medical staff for their quick action. The game resumed after King’s initial collapse, despite players visibly emotional on the game-day broadcast. The NWSL initially said it followed “league protocols from both a medical and game operations perspective,” when it made the decision to resume the remainder of the match. On Wednesday, the Players Association called for immediate changes to existing protocol, including determining whose responsibility it is to inform necessary parties on how to proceed amid a serious event.
In the moments after the game ended, players and coaching staff questioned the decision to keep playing, sharing the whirlwind of emotions they endured while sending support to King for a full recovery. “In those moments, I’m not sure if we should have continued the game,” Utah Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets told reporters after the game. “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.”
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The level of pushback over the continuation of Friday’s game should prompt a review of policy. Player health is the priority.
Angel City forward Christen Press, who scored the game-winning goal shortly before King’s medical event, addressed the emotions in a postgame interview with CBS. “I think this game has been very emotional, very tough. All of us are praying for Savy, our teammate,” she said. “That’s really all I can think about right now. It was a really emotional game.” King’s family issued a statement alongside Angel City on Tuesday. “On behalf of our entire family, along with Savy, we have been so moved by the love and support from Angel City players, staff, fans, and community, as well as soccer fans across the country,” the statement read. “We are blessed to share Savy is recovering well and we are looking forward to having her home with us soon.” (Photo: Jessica Alcheh / Imagn Images)
