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SANDY — Real Salt Lake rookie midfielder Omar Holness had a scare Saturday night in his first professional soccer match on loan with Real Monarchs SLC.
The 22-year-old Jamaican international appeared to suffer a seizure and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital after collapsing int he 34th minute of the Monarchs' USL season-opening match against St. Louis FC.
Holness dropped to the ground at Rio Tinto Stadium, and players from both teams began signaling for medical attention. An ambulance and stretcher crew were called onto the field, delaying the match for about 20 minutes, and he was immediately transported to the hospital for observation.
After undergoing initial testing, Holness was alert and responsive, and doctors released him to go home around 11:30 p.m. MT. At 11:40 p.m., he tweeted the following.
Hey everyone, thanks for all the support and prayers! Thankfully I'm feeling better. Thank God for everything! 🙏🏽
— Omar Holness (@holnessomar) March 27, 2016
Local physician Dr. Mike Cosgrave and the RSL medical staff will continue to supervise and monitor Holness' condition in the forthcoming days, according to a club statement.
Holness was the fifth-overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by Real Salt Lake, who signed a Generation adidas contract with Major League Soccer. The North Carolina product was loaned to RSL's third-division affiliate Real Monarchs for the club's USL opener Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium.
After Holness' departure, the Monarchs defeated St. Louis FC, 1-0 behind a stoppage-time goal from Provo native Maikon Orellana.
In addition to Holness, RSL loaned forward Devon Sandoval, goalkeepers Jeff Attinella and Devon Sandoval, midfielders Luke Mulholland John Stertzer, and defender Justen Glad to Real Monarchs for the match. All but Fernandez started the match.
