Savy King had heart surgery following her collapse during a game last week
The Angel City defender fell onto the pitch in the second half of the May 9 game against the Utah Royals
At least one player and one coach have publicly criticized the NWSL’s decision to continue the game
Angel City defender Savy King had emergency heart surgery following her collapse during a game last week, the team announced Wednesday, May 14.
The 20-year-old soccer star underwent the operation after doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles determined she had a heart abnormality, Angel City said in a statement posted on X.
King is currently recovering, and her prognosis “is excellent,” her family said in the statement.
“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 said. “We are blessed to share Savy is recovering well and we are looking forward to having her home with us soon.”
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Ariana Ruiz/PI via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Savy King
King collapsed on the pitch in the second half of their game against the Utah Royals on Friday, May 9.
As her teammates and Royals players looked on, visibly shaken, King received treatment from trainers before she was stretchered off the field.
The game was stopped for 10 minutes before play resumed — all of which had at least one athlete and coach questioning why the game continued.
“In no world should that game have continued,” U.S. women’s national team and Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman wrote on her Instagram Stories, ESPN reported.
Royals coach Jimmy Coenraets also said to reporters after the game that he believes play should not have resumed, according to CBS Sports.
The NWSL is now reevaluating its policy regarding in-game emergencies, the league said in a statement obtained by multiple outlets.
King joined Angel City this year in her second season, after spending her rookie campaign with Bay FC. Before joining the NWSL, King played for the University of North Carolina.
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