Angel City defender Savy King returns 10 months after collapsing during cardiac event

The defender had a shot on goal and a crucial tackle in her return to the NWSL.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:13am

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Angel City defender Savy King returned to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday evening for her first regular season game since she suffered a cardiac incident on May 9, 2025. The 21-year-old subbed on in the 63rd minute to a thunderous home crowd, the team already enjoying a dominant 3-0 victory over the visiting Chicago Stars, which eventually ended 4-0. King even got a shot on goal in her 27 minutes on the pitch.

Why it matters

King's incident last year, and the fallout that ensued from the NWSL's handling of it, prompted the league to institute changes to its protocols around serious injuries that take place during games. The league has now defined a 'serious injury' as a condition that 'significantly incapacitates or otherwise poses an immediate and significant health risk to the individual, such as a heart attack or cardiac arrest, a seizure episode, or a severe and traumatic physical injury (e.g., open compound fracture or spine injury with potential paralysis).'

The details

King had collapsed on that same field 10 months prior during a game against the Utah Royals due in part to an undetected congenital heart abnormality. She was rushed to the hospital and underwent a successful surgery soon after, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process. Controversially, the league authorized that match to continue, a decision that drew swift and sharp criticism from the NWSL Players Association, who urged the league to change its protocols and order the match abandoned in the event of medical incidents that require life-saving procedures.

  • On May 9, 2025, King suffered a cardiac incident and collapsed on the field during a game against the Utah Royals.
  • On Feb. 14, 2026, Angel City removed King from its Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list.
  • On March 16, 2026, King made her return to competition since her cardiac incident with Angel City at the preseason Coachella Valley Invitational.
  • On March 19, 2026, King made her first regular season return to the pitch for Angel City in a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Stars.

The players

Savy King

A 21-year-old defender for Angel City FC who suffered a cardiac incident on the field in May 2025 and underwent successful surgery, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process. She has now returned to the pitch for Angel City.

Emily Sams

A U.S. women's national team center back who plays for Angel City FC.

Kennedy Fuller

A forward for Angel City FC who praised King's return and said her heart condition and absence from the game 'really united the soccer community, and we all realized the game is so much bigger than playing 90 minutes on the field.'

Alex Straus

The manager of Angel City FC.

Jordyn Huitema

A striker for the Chicago Stars who was denied a goal-scoring chance by King's swift slide tackle.

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What they’re saying

“She could have played more today than she did. Savy was ready and wanted to start the game.”

— Alex Straus, Angel City FC manager

“I think this moment is something that she has been so emotional about and to be able to see her step on the field and have so much confidence — like, she didn't miss a beat.”

— Kennedy Fuller, Angel City FC forward

What’s next

Angel City's next test will take them up the California coast to San Jose for a meeting with Bay FC, who also won their home opener, on Saturday, March 21.

The takeaway

King's return to the pitch after her cardiac incident last year highlights the importance of player safety protocols in the NWSL, which has now instituted changes to better protect athletes in the event of serious medical emergencies during games.