This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Savy King, a player for Angel City FC, returned to competition last Sunday, more than ten months after suffering a cardiac event on the field that required open-heart surgery. The 21-year-old athlete had not played since May 9, 2025, the day she collapsed during a match against the Utah Royals. The emotional return took place in Los Angeles, during her team's 4-0 victory over the Chicago Stars FC, in the opening round of the NWSL. King entered the field in the 63rd minute to a huge ovation from the crowd at BMO Stadium, with the score already at 2-0. After her entry, the home team scored two more goals, sealing the victory. At the end of the match, the player admitted to feeling nervous. "I was super nervous, honestly. But when I stepped onto the field, I thought: 'I've been here before, and I'm ready for this,'" she stated. King described the last ten months as "crazy," filled with "a lot of hard work, a lot of perseverance, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that people didn't see." She added, "I felt as ready as I would ever be at that moment, and I didn't want the fear of playing again to stop me from doing what I wanted." The athlete's recovery was a gradual process. In the summer of 2025, she completed cardiac rehabilitation, receiving clearance to return to non-contact training in the fall. During this year's preseason, she was fully cleared for contact training, reintegrating completely into the Angel City roster. In her return match, King played for over 30 minutes, something that, according to her, "means everything." The player was also moved by the chants from the fans in her name. "Our fans have been with me throughout this process. They sent me so much love and prayers," she said. "They helped me immensely in this recovery. When I felt like I didn't want to continue, they were always there to support and lift me up. Having them here and being able to play in front of them and show them that I'm okay is simply the best feeling in the world." It is worth noting that just a few months after the incident, King founded Savy King of Hearts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about cardiopulmonary resuscitation, preventive screenings, and advocating for heart health. A native of Los Angeles, Savy King was the second overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft by Bay FC, where she played 20 games and provided two assists in her rookie season. In February 2025, she was transferred to Angel City, a club with which she signed a contract extension until 2028. Before the cardiac event, she had started in all seven of the team's games, accumulating over 600 minutes on the field.
Underwent Heart Surgery Months Later This remains central to this story.
Underwent Heart Surgery Months Later This remains central to this story.
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