The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has acknowledged that it made a mistake last week when it allowed a game between Angel City FC and the Utah Royals to continue after Savy King collapsed on the field. The 20-year-old player required emergency medical treatment during Friday night’s match at BMO Stadium.
Acknowledgment of Mistake
According to league officials, they should have suspended the game immediately after King’s collapse. In a statement, they said that their decision to conclude the final minutes of play was an error. However, they maintained that league protocols were followed from both a medical and game operations perspective.
"Savy King collapsed on the field during Friday night’s match against Utah Royals FC," said an NWSL spokesperson. "League protocols were followed from both a medical and game operations perspective."
Player’s Condition
King underwent successful surgery on Tuesday for what Angel City called "a heart abnormality." The club described her prognosis after surgery as excellent.
Reactions from Coaches and Players
Players from both teams formed a prayer circle around King before she was taken away by ambulance. Utah head coach Jimmy Coenraets expressed his concerns about continuing play while Savy received treatment.
- "I think we all know how we would feel if one of our players had gone down like that," Coenraets said in an interview with ESPN Radio 700 AM Salt Lake City following Saturday’s loss to Portland Thorns FC at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
- Coenraets also stated he didn’t want any other team or player going through what happened with Savy.
U.S. women’s national team star Trinity Rodman also criticized the decision to continue with the match.
- “Absolutely not,” Rodman told ESPN Radio 700 AM Salt Lake City when asked if she thought play should have been stopped immediately following Savy’s collapse.
- Rodman added: “I don’t think anyone wants someone else going through what happened with her.”
NWSL Players Association Response
The NWSL Players Association praised the league for admitting its mistake and hearing their concerns about player safety.
“These moments demand humanity, sound judgment, and restraint,” read an NWSLPA statement released Monday evening. “Any medical emergency requiring administration of life-saving care should bring play to an end.”
Future Actions
A review into how games are stopped due to emergencies has already begun, according to league officials. They stated that this incident is serious enough to warrant deliberate process revisions prioritizing player, staff, and fan wellbeing.
Angel City FC announced Tuesday morning via social media that Savy is currently resting and recovering surrounded by family members following her surgery. Her prognosis is excellent.
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