Angel City defender Savy King remains in a stable condition after being stretchered off the field and taken to a hospital after what the team called a “medical event” during a match against the Utah Royals in the National Women’s Soccer League on Friday night.
Other players were visibly shaken as trainers rushed to King’s side after she went down in the 74th minute. She was attended to for about 10 minutes before she was taken from the field on a cart.
Angel City issued a statement that said King “was transported by EMS to the hospital following a medical event on the field. She is responsive and undergoing further evaluation. We thank everyone for their concern and support.”
After the match, both teams gathered in a circle at midfield in prayer for King.
In a statement on Saturday, the NWSL said King will be undergoing further medical evaluation.
“Following a medical event on the field last night, ACFC’s Savy King was transported by EMS to the hospital. Savy left the field in stable condition, and currently remains stable and will be undergoing further evaluation,” the statement said.
Afterward, some fans questioned why the match continued. The decision was also criticized by Washington Spirit and United States star Trinity Rodman.
“Prayers for Savy King as well as her loved ones and the players that were on that field. In no world should that game have continued,” she wrote on Instagram.
The NWSL said in its statement that “league protocols were followed from both a medical and game operations perspective. We are grateful to the Angel City medical staff as well as to local paramedics who handled this difficult situation seamlessly. As always, the NWSL will review and determine if changes to that protocol need to be made.”
It added: “We share everyone’s concern about Savy, and our thoughts are with her, her family, the Utah Royals players and staff, and the Angel City players, staff and community.”
King, 20, was the second pick in the 2024 NWSL draft by expansion Bay FC and played 18 games for the club. She was traded to Angel City in February and has started in all eight games for the team this season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.