Angel City defender Savy King has successfully undergone heart surgery, as confirmed by the club on Tuesday. This news follows her recent collapse during a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match against the Utah Royals on Friday, where she fell to the ground in the 74th minute. Medical staff quickly attended to her, performing CPR before she was transported off the field on a stretcher with an oxygen mask.
Once at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, tests revealed that King had a heart abnormality, leading to her surgery. Angel City reported that she is now recovering well, surrounded by her family, and her prognosis is positive.
Kings’s family expressed their gratitude to the medical teams involved and thanked the soccer community for their overwhelming support. They highlighted the exceptional care offered by the Angel City medical staff and the kindness shown to them during this challenging time.
During the match that day, which concluded with a 2-0 victory for Angel City, players from both teams united in a prayer for King following her collapse. While some players were visibly shaken, the match resumed, a decision that was later questioned by Utah’s head coach.
Savy King, 20, has made a significant impact since joining Angel City in February and was selected second overall in the 2024 NWSL draft. Before her time in the NWSL, she showcased her talents at the University of North Carolina and represented the US at various youth national team levels.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of swift medical response in sports. It’s heartening to see King recovering well, and her positive spirit, along with the support from both fans and teammates, reflects the close-knit community surrounding women’s soccer.