Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Angel City's Savy King experienced a medical emergency during a match against Utah.
- King was hospitalized, prompting a prayer gathering led by Utah's Alex Loera.
- Utah Royals lost 2-0, with Christen Press and Alyssa Thompson scoring for Angel City.
LOS ANGELES — What looked like a routine play and common leg injury for Angel City's Savy King quickly turned into a much more serious matter in the second half of Friday's match against the Utah Royals.
The 20-year-old defender, who played collegiately at North Carolina with Utah's Ally Sentnor, passed the ball and then went to the ground, initially grabbing her leg. An oxygen mask and cart were eventually needed, however, as King's situation took a turn.
Angel City confirmed King was transported to the hospital following a "medical event on the field," and added that she is "responsive and undergoing further evaluation."
"I think in those moments, I'm not sure if we should have continued the game," Utah head coach Jimmy Coenraets said. "Not only (Angel City) but also our players were just scared, and I think that's not the right position or the right situation to be in. But in the end, we played on."
Angel City already led 1-0 at the time of the emergency on a goal from former Utah Royal Christen Press in the 66th minute. It was the 36-year-old Los Angeles native's first goal after a two-year injury delay.
Twelve minutes of stoppage time were added due to the medical break and Angel City doubled its lead in extra time on a steal and drive from USWNT phenom Alyssa Thompson for a 2-0 result and Angel City's fourth win.
"It's just little moments in the second half, a little bit of quality on their end and putting the ball in the back of the net when it matters," Utah defender and captain Kate Del Fava said. "Not conceding in the first half was a step forward for us, but I think it's going to take more than that to get results in this league."
First-year Utah player Alex Loera made her season debut on Friday after a year-long ACL recovery and led a prayer following the match as both teams gathered at midfield on behalf of King.
Devastating moments at the Angel City FC game. It appears trainers were doing chest compressions on Savy King. Players from both teams were seen praying after the final whistle. pic.twitter.com/mY7MElprEL
— Katie Karl (@Katie_KarlTV) May 10, 2025
"When something like that happens, it reminds not only the players, but the fans that there are bigger things in life than soccer," Loera said. "Those moments are always so scary, and so we're all sending our thoughts and prayers to Savy King's family and just peace over their family during this time."
Loera said she "leaned on (her) faith" during her ACL recovery, and Coenraets said Loera has "found herself" with faith over the last year, calling it a "great moment" for her to lead the field in prayer.
"That moment is kind of who Alex is," Coenraets said. "She steps up in tough moments, in stressful moments, and that's also what we're going to see more of her in games."
Despite Loera's return, Utah added three more names to its injury report on Friday. Coenraets said he is "not 100% concerned," however, and is "confident that we'll get people back," with the omissions being more cautionary than forced.
Utah moves to one win, one draw and six losses through eight games this season, with just one goal — a penalty — over its last six matches.
The team travels to the East Coast to take on the Washington Spirit next week before returning home to face reigning champion Orlando Pride at America First Field on Friday, May 23.
