Angel City FC defender Savy King has been discharged from the hospital following successful heart surgery. She is now back home with her family and beginning the recovery process, approximately one week after experiencing a medical issue during her team`s match against the Utah Royals.
In a statement released on Sunday, Angel City confirmed, “Savy King was discharged from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center yesterday, May 17, and is home with her family resting comfortably.” The club expressed immense gratitude on behalf of both Angel City FC and Savy`s family for the “expert medical care she received by the world-class providers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in consultation with our medical staff.” Angel City pledged its full support for King as she continues her recovery journey.
King shared her first public comments since the incident via an Instagram post on Sunday, accompanying them with photos from her time in the hospital. She conveyed her heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent well wishes.
“I`m still finding the words to express just how much your love and support have meant to me over these past few days,” King wrote. “What I do know is that I wouldn`t be getting through this without my incredible family by my side, my amazing teammates who have shown up for me and prayed for me, the fans, the entire soccer community, and the outstanding medical team here at ACFC who saved my life and cared for me every step of the way. I know God`s got me and I`m looking forward to recovering and getting back out on the field!”
Incident During the Game and League Response
King collapsed during the second half of Angel City`s 2-0 victory over the Royals on May 9th. She received medical attention on the field for roughly ten minutes before being substituted and transported to a hospital in the Los Angeles area. Doctors later diagnosed a heart abnormality, which was successfully corrected through surgery on Tuesday.
The NWSL`s decision to allow the match to continue after King`s medical emergency drew considerable criticism. Notably, Utah Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets and U.S. women`s national team and Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman publicly questioned the league`s handling, with Rodman stating on Instagram that “in no world should that game have continued.”
Following the incident, the NWSL Players Association advocated for an updated policy that would mandate games be stopped if a player requires life-saving medical intervention, as King did.
“If player safety is of paramount importance, then I`m wondering what other factors could possibly be at play in a life-saving situation here,” commented NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke in an interview with Attacking Third. “We`re making it too hard. This is a very straightforward decision. Life-saving measures on the field to revive a player or stabilize a player – or coach or referee – the game should stop playing … and this is the reason that the players are asking for a bright-line rule.”
On Friday, the NWSL ultimately acknowledged that the match should not have resumed and announced a change in policy for future situations.
“Having reviewed our protocols and how they were implemented, and in listening to feedback from our stakeholders, the Angel City vs. Utah game last Friday night should not have continued and we regret that it did,” the NWSL stated. “The health and well-being of the entire NWSL community remains our top priority, and in any similar situation going forward the game should and would be abandoned.”
Tributes and Support
Savy King remained a focus for Angel City players as they returned to the field on Saturday. Teammates arrived for their match against Bay FC wearing black shirts featuring `SK3` – King`s initials and jersey number. Bay FC`s starting players also donned these tribute shirts before the game kicked off.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman was present at the match, which Bay FC won 2-0. Speaking with members of the media, Berman described King`s medical emergency as a valuable learning moment for the league.
“As we went through that and regrouped internally, we, of course, came to the conclusion that the game should not have continued and that we were committed – and are committed – to ensuring that in a similar situation moving forward that it wouldn`t happen again,” Berman said Saturday. “Everything that we do, every season gives us an opportunity to learn and do better and that`s what we`re committed to do going forward.”
