NWSL expresses 'regret' for continuing Angel City-Utah Royals match after Savy King collapse, says it will change protocols

The NWSL issued a statement Friday expressing "regret" for continuing a match after an Angel City player collapsed on the pitch last week, and said it will abandon future matches under such circumstances.

This statement comes after the league declined to abandon the Angel City vs. Utah Royals match last Friday when Savy King collapsed, received more than 10 minutes of medical attention and was transferred to the hospital. Angel City said that King underwent successful heart surgery on Tuesday to address a heart abnormality, adding that her prognosis is "excellent."

The league acknowledged its regret in a social media post, saying "the health and well-being of the entire NWSL community remains our top priority."

The NWSL received heavy backlash from players, media and fans following its inaction last week. The NWSL Players Association criticized the league this week, saying "these moments demand humanity, sound judgment, and restraint. Any medical emergency that requires the administration of life-saving care should bring play to an end. The match should not have continued."

After the league acknowledged "regret" and plans to alter procedures for any future incidents, the NWSLPA on Friday issued a statement highlighting it as "a meaningful step forward."

"The League's acknowledgement that the game should have ended - and its commitment to adopting this protocol for the future, should it ever be needed - represents a meaningful step forward. It's a change made possible by the strength and unity of our players," it said in a statement. "Player safety is not a slogan. It is a practice. We are grateful that NWSL has listened."

After last Friday's game, Utah Royals manager Jimmy Coenraets suggested the match should have been stopped.

“In those moments, I’m not sure if we should have continued the game,” Coenraets told reporters after the match. “You’re emotionally - not only them but also our players were just scared. That’s not the right situation to be in but in the end, we played on. That’s the decision other people have taken, which is fine.

"It was a really tough moment. It’s the same after the game. Like, what do you want to focus on after the game? Yes, you have the result of the game but you want to make sure people feel safe, healthy and good and I think that was the focus after the game for us.”

Washington Spirit and U.S. women's national team forward Trinity Rodman offered prayers for King and her Family on social media, adding: “In no world should that game have continued.”

King joined Angel City from Bay FC ahead of the 2025 NWSL season from Bay FC.

The NWSLPA said this week that the focus remains on King's recovery.

"Our focus remains on supporting Savy during her recovery, and we ask that her and her family's privacy continue to be respected during this time. We are deeply appreciative of the swift, professional response from the medical staff, emergency personnel and others on site who ensured Savy's safety Friday night."