NWSL Modifies Protocols Following Medical Emergency in Match
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has announced a significant change in its policies. The league has decided to abandon future matches that present medical emergencies that endanger the lives of the players.
This official modification comes three days after Angel City FC defender Savy King underwent surgery due to a cardiac anomaly discovered after her collapse on the field during a match on May 9.
The game resumed after approximately 10 minutes of medical attention and was completed. The NWSL Players Association stated that the match should not have continued and requested that future matches be suspended due to medical emergencies.
“After reviewing our protocols and how they were implemented, and after hearing feedback from our stakeholders, the match between Angel City and Utah on Friday night should not have continued,” the NWSL stated in a statement.
NWSL
The league added that the health and well-being of the entire NWSL community remains its top priority, and that in any similar situation in the future, the game should and would be abandoned.
King collapsed about 15 minutes from the end of the May 9 match. The 20-year-old player was stretchered off the field and taken to a local hospital in Los Angeles, where Angel City reported she was responsive.
The club announced that King’s prognosis is excellent after doctors discovered a heart anomaly and performed surgery. The club, the league, the players’ association, and the family requested in separate statements that King’s privacy be respected.
Angel City FC and Utah Royals FC players were visibly affected as King received medical attention. After the match, players from both teams joined in the center circle of the field in prayer for King.
“At those moments, I’m not sure if we should have continued the game,” said Utah coach Jimmy Coenraets after the match. “Emotionally, not only them, but also our players, were scared and I think that’s not the right position or the right situation to be in. But in the end, that’s a decision that other people make. I think it was a really difficult moment.”
Jimmy Coenraets
Christen Press, Angel City forward, who scored the winning goal in the 2-0 victory, called the match “really emotional”.
King was the second overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft after playing one season at the University of North Carolina. She was traded from Bay FC to Angel City, her hometown team in the NWSL, during the offseason.
