Savy King of the NWSL’s Angel City is “responsive” after leaving the pitch Friday on a stretcher and being taken to a hospital with what the team labeled as a “medical event.”
“She is responsive and undergoing further evaluation. We thank everyone for their concern and support,” the team’s X account posted early Saturday morning.
King, a 20-year-old defender for the California-based franchise, collapsed during the 74th minute of Friday’s match against the Utah Royals.
Medical staffers attended to King for roughly 10 minutes before she exited the pitch on the stretcher, according to the Associated Press.
“She was transported to a hospital, she was evaluated,” Angel City assistant Eleri Earnshaw said after the match, according to The Athletic.
“She is responsive and her family are with her, as are our medical staff. She’s in good hands.”
The two teams gathered around midfield for a prayer after Angel City’s 2-0 win, with former teammate Utah’s Alex Loera being credited for spearheading the idea.
“Some people prayed, some people shared their energy. Just to show unity in that moment in support of Savy without knowing the update at that time,” Earnshaw said, per The Athletic. “It was obviously a scary situation to be in and, at that point, it was much bigger than football.”
Utah coach Jimmy Coenraets said he did not know whether the teams should have continued the game, noting how some of his players were “scared.”
He posted a heartfelt message to King to his Instagram Story after the match.
“I think that’s not the right situation or position to be in,” Coenraets said after the match. “I think it was a really tough moment and the same after the game. What do you want to focus on after the game? I think at that point, yes, there is a result, there is a game, but I just want to make sure people feel safe, healthy, good and they can actually move on. I think that was also the focus after the game for us.”
King landed in the NWSL after being selected second overall by Bay FC in the 2024 draft before being traded to Angel City FC in February, allowing the Santa Monica native to play close to her home.