Savy King is set to make her return to the National Women's Soccer League for Angel City, just 10 months after her heart stopped during a game. The 20-year-old defender collapsed in the 74th minute of a match against the Utah Royals on 9 May 2024, requiring CPR on the pitch before being rushed to hospital for surgery to correct a rare congenital coronary artery defect.
King spent the summer recovering, undergoing six weeks of physical therapy followed by a three-month cardiac rehabilitation programme. By September, she was able to participate in limited team training. Reflecting on her ordeal, she said: 'I for sure have gone through ups and downs, but for the most part, I just am grateful that I’m able to play again.'
The incident prompted controversy after the match continued following King's collapse. The NWSL later conceded the game should have been halted, and new emergency procedures were implemented. King has since spearheaded an initiative ensuring all 16 NWSL teams received hands-only CPR and AED training, making the league the only US professional sports league to do so on such a scale.
Her foundation, Savy King of Hearts, partners with the American Heart Association to promote hands-only CPR and provide AEDs to underserved communities. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman praised King, saying: 'All credit goes to Savy. She's remarkable... What an amazing opportunity for her to turn something that was really scary... into a positive.'
King was officially removed from Angel City's season-ending injury list on Valentine's Day and has played in two preseason matches. Angel City open their regular season on Sunday at home against the Chicago Stars.
