May 9, 2025, will remain etched in the memories of Angel City FC fans for all the wrong reasons. During an NWSL Matchday 8 showdown against the Utah Royals at BMO Stadium, what began as a routine 2-0 victory—accentuated by Christen Press’s milestone goal—turned shocking when 20-year-old defender Savy King collapsed on the field, suffering a heart attack. The incident left the crowd of 17,000 in stunned silence.
Fast forward to now, and Savy King is determined to return to the pitch as she resumes training, following her recovery journey. Since that critical night, she has refrained from playing as she adhered to necessary health protocols. In a recent episode of the BFFR podcast, co-hosted by her teammate Ali Riley, King discussed her path to recovery.
“I’m just so happy to be back,” King shared during the podcast, reflecting on her experiences. “It’s been a little bit of a crazy journey the last couple of months, but things are going really great. It was three months of cardiac therapy, three days a week for 12 weeks. So that was a journey in itself.”
Although missing considerable time with her team was challenging, King focused on patience and self-reflection during her fight for life. The prospect of returning to the field served as a constant source of motivation, pushing her through the most difficult moments.
Throughout her rehabilitation, she credited her teammates for their unwavering support, which significantly bolstered her spirits. King expressed heartfelt gratitude towards Riley and the entire Angel City FC squad, acknowledging the strength she had also drawn from her family.
“I’m back full-time with Angel City, continuing my rehab here, which has been such a blessing to be back and be on the field again doing my individual training, but the goal is to be back,” the Santa Monica native concluded, sharing her enthusiasm for reuniting with her teammates.
As fans eagerly await Savy King’s return to competitive play, there are still questions about when she will officially step back into a game. Her absence is felt keenly as Angel City FC struggles to maintain its playoff ambitions.
At present, Angel City FC is languishing in 11th place in the NWSL standings with 24 points, amassing 6 wins, 6 draws, and 10 losses. Time is of the essence as they aim to salvage their season with only four matches remaining. Their upcoming game against the league-leading KC Current represents a significant challenge as the Current inch closer to securing the Shield.
The remaining three fixtures, pitted against Houston Dash, Portland Thorns, and Chicago Stars, offer little room for error. It’s a daunting schedule, compounded by the fact that Angel City hasn’t celebrated a victory since September 1. This losing streak heightens the anxiety surrounding their playoff hopes.
Fans are left to cling to the hope that King’s return will ignite a turnaround for the team. While her training sessions mark a positive step forward, the urgency of their situation makes her eventual return to competitive play all the more critical for Angel City FC.
