Angel City's Savy King undergoes heart surgery after frightening collapse during match
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Angel City Defender Savy King Recovering After Heart Surgery Following On-Field Collapse
Angel City FC defender Savy King is recovering well after undergoing heart surgery this week, following a frightening collapse during a recent National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) match. The incident occurred on Friday night during a game against the Utah Royals, prompting immediate medical attention and a rush to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Doctors identified an abnormality in King's heart, leading to Tuesday's surgery. The team announced that her prognosis is excellent, and her family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from Angel City players, staff, fans, and the wider soccer community. They are looking forward to her return home soon.
The collapse happened in the 74th minute of the match, with medical personnel attending to King for approximately 10 minutes before she was stretchered off the field. The NWSL is reviewing its policies regarding medical emergencies to determine if any adjustments are needed. Despite the incident, the game continued with 12 minutes of stoppage time, and Angel City ultimately won 2-0.
King, a highly-regarded player, was drafted by Bay FC with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. She played in 18 matches for Bay FC before being traded to Angel City during the offseason and has appeared in eight matches for her current club this season. This incident highlights the importance of player safety and the swift response of medical professionals in professional sports.
Keywords: Savy King, Angel City FC, NWSL, heart surgery, collapse, medical emergency, Utah Royals, Cedars-Sinai, prognosis, soccer, women's soccer, sports news, player safety, Bay FC, 2024 NWSL Draft