NWSL match suspended after Racing Louisville's Savannah DeMelo collapses; club says midfielder in stable condition

DeMelo collapsed during the 47th minute of Louisville's NWSL fixture against Seattle Sunday evening. The midfielder sat on the turf before falling backwards - where she was held by teammates as medical assistance arrived.

She was swiftly taken to a local hospital, and was described as "stable and alert" by the NWSL club.

Game officials immediately elected to abandon the rest of the fixture following her medical emergency. The NWSL Players' Association later released a statement soon after backing the league for taking the decision to postpone the match: "Our hearts are with Savannah DeMelo and her family following last night's game. Her health and well-being remain our top priority, and we are relieved she is receiving the medical attention she needs.

"Postponing the match was the right decision, as nothing is more important than the safety of Players and staff on the field. This is a challenging time for all those affected, and we ask for continued respect of everyone's privacy."

This isn't the first time DeMelo has needed medical assistance. The midfielder was substituted in a fixture against Bay FC on March 22 after feeling dizzy. She was eventually stretchered off the field. She later revealed that she was diagnosed with Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism - a rare heart condition - in fall 2024, making playing 90 minutes "unbearable."

The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday at Lumen Field, where it will be played behind closed doors. It will pick up exactly where it left off, and the NWSL is set to reach out to fans around ticketing for a future game.

Seattle are seventh in the NWSL standings, while Louisville are in eighth, with seven games remaining.