Angel City FC’s Savi King debuts CPR program after in-game collapse

Six months after the terrible suffering collapse on the pitch mid-match, Angel City FC defender Savi King she set herself the task of securing all 16 NVSL teams have appropriate CPR training. King is partnering with his nonprofit foundation, Savi King of Hearts, the American Heart Association and the league to provide CPR training.

Prior to the 2026 NVSL season, each club will receive full training from a certified instructor and education on how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). In addition, a representative from each team will serve as an advocate for KPR awareness on and off the field.

The announcement, which came during the inaugural NVSL Awards, makes history for professional sports leagues in the United States. The Women’s Soccer League will become the first in the country to have all players, coaches and staff members trained in CPR. According to ESPN, King shared her thoughts about what the monumental move means to her personally.

“It’s very important to me to create this initiative. This is a very personal topic for me, especially after what happened this year and having to get CPR on the field,” King said. “Every single locker room and every team and player should know CPR, just in case anything could happen at any time.”

Honoring the first responders and team training staff who were there to provide life-saving medical care to Savi King and Savannah DeMello when they experienced medical emergencies on the field 💕 pic.twitter.com/irZmRriiao

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NVSL) November 19, 2025

The 20-year-old was rushed to a local hospital in Los Angeles after collapsing in the 74th minute of Angelo City’s game against the Utah Royals, and the medical attention she received on the field is credited with saving her life.

“I learned firsthand how quickly a cardiac emergency can happen. CPR saved my life,” added King. “And this initiative is a step forward in making our league safer. Because at the end of the day, there might not always be a coach or a medical professional around to save someone’s life, because you never know what can happen.”

King addressed Angel City’s chief medical officer, Hollier Walush, and director of high performance, Sarah Smith, during the awards ceremony Wednesday when it was announced, crediting them for saving her life.

“I wouldn’t be here today without (Smith and Walush),” she told ESPN. “They are the two people who gave me a second chance at life, and they are the reason this is even possible. This initiative and partnership is the result of my team and the life-saving CPR and medical treatment I received.”

The NVSL received immediate backlash from players, fans and the Players Association as both teams were forced to finish the game. After a week of fierce criticism, the league released a long-awaited statement solving the decision to continue the game. King has since made a full recovery from surgery for a rare congenital heart condition and was cleared to return to contact training last week.