Angel City defender Savy King is responsive and receiving further medical attention at a hospital after collapsing during the NWSL team’s 2-0 win over Utah Royals on Friday.
King fell in the 74th minute of the match and was treated by medical personnel on the field for approximately ten minutes before her substitution for Megan Reid. Following this, she was transported to a nearby hospital for additional evaluation.
“Savy was transported by EMS to the hospital following a medical event on the field,” said Angel City in a statement on Friday. “She is responsive and undergoing further evaluation. We thank everyone for their concern and support.”
The NWSL clarified that King remained stable while receiving treatment and they will possibly review their policies after the teams resume play.
“After a medical event on the field last night, ACFC’s Savy King was transported by EMS to the hospital,” noted the NWSL. “Savy left the field in stable condition and currently remains stable, undergoing further evaluation. League protocols were observed from both medical and operational perspectives. We are grateful to the Angel City medical team, as well as the local paramedics who managed this challenging situation effectively. The NWSL will review existing protocols to assess if any changes are necessary.”
Criticism arose over the NWSL’s decision to continue the match after King’s eighth-minute substitution, despite it being within league rules. NWSL’s 2025 regulations permit postponing, delaying, or cancelling games for serious incidents or medical emergencies concerning anyone associated with the game.
The criticism came from Jimmy Coenraets, the head coach of the Royals, who expressed disapproval about resuming play.
“In those moments, I’m not sure if we should have continued the game,” said Coenraets. “You’re emotionally involved—both our players and theirs were frightened. That’s not the right circumstance, but ultimately, we continued. It was a very tough moment.”
On Instagram stories, Trinity Rodman of the U.S. Women’s National Team and Washington Spirit echoed a similar feeling, stating, “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…”
Angel City’s assistant coach, Eleni Earnshaw, noted that the medical staff was with King at the hospital alongside her family, praising King’s teammates for their composure during the incident.
“I acknowledged in our locker room that Meg Reid, a trained paramedic, played a crucial role in keeping the group calm when it seemed tense,” Earnshaw stated in her post-match comments. “While Christen [Press] and others were instrumental in uniting the group, Meg focused on her duties as a paramedic, reassuring the team during that worrying time.”
Both teams formed a circle at midfield to show solidarity following the match, as led by Royals’ Alex Lorea, who previously played with King last season.
“One of the Utah players suggested we gather, and some prayed while others sent positive energy toward Savy without knowing her condition at the time,” added Earnshaw. “It was obviously a frightening scenario to navigate, and at that moment, it was bigger than soccer.”
As of now, there are no new updates regarding King’s condition or her potential return to play.
