NWSL Admits Game Should Not Have Continued After Player Collapse

During an NWSL match between Angel City FC and the Utah Royals, defender Savy King collapsed on the field due to a heart abnormality, later requiring surgery. Although the game was paused for medical attention, play resumed and finished, leading to backlash and the league's acknowledgment that the match should have been abandoned. The NWSL conducted a review of its protocols and, responding to feedback from players, coaches, and stakeholders, announced that future games would be stopped immediately in similar life-threatening situations. Utah Royals coach Jimmy Coenraets and the NWSL Players Association both expressed that continuing play after such a medical emergency was inappropriate. The league emphasized that player health and well-being are the highest priority and committed to ensuring that games would no longer continue after serious medical incidents. King's prognosis following surgery has been described as excellent, and both teams showed solidarity during the incident by uniting in prayer on the field.