Angel City FC defender Savy King is gearing up for her return to the field, as the club announced on Saturday that she has been officially removed from the National Women’s Soccer League’s season-ending injury list (SEI).
King had been on the SEI since suffering a cardiac incident during a match on May 9, 2025. Following this, she underwent open-heart surgery after being diagnosed with a rare congenital heart condition and began her rehabilitation, aiming for a return for the 2026 NWSL season.
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“I’ve been doing everything I can to get back on the pitch again. I’m thrilled to return and to be ready to play,” King shared with ESPN this week. “This is going to be a huge moment not just for me, but for my family, the club, and everyone who’s faced difficult times, especially involving heart issues.”
King will participate in Angel City’s preseason exhibition games at the Coachella Valley Invitational and is set to play in the regular season opener on March 15 at BMO Stadium.
“My goal is to be back for the first game,” King stated. “It’s been a long journey, but I feel more prepared than ever. I want everyone to know that they shouldn’t worry about me being back on the field because I’m ready. I’ve concentrated on the mental side of everything to ensure I’m prepared. Physically, I feel great. Mentally, I’ve been doing really well.”
👑 Here comes Savy King! 👑 pic.twitter.com/J2J5SJXTSx
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) February 14, 2026
During the summer of 2025, King completed her cardiac rehabilitation at Cedars Sinai and was cleared to return to Angel City's training facility for non-contact practices in the fall. This preseason, she received full clearance for contact and rejoined her Angel City teammates in training.
"Being back at the training facility meant everything," King remarked about her return after months of rehab. "Most of my recovery took place outside of Angel City, so stepping back into the facility was incredible. It had been a long-awaited moment."
"Initially, I couldn't do much, but it didn't matter because I was back with my team. I just knew that I had returned."
A few months after her cardiac incident, King established Savy King of Hearts, a nonprofit focused on raising CPR awareness, facilitating preventive screenings, and advocating for heart health.
Last November, King launched a new initiative through her nonprofit to offer free CPR training to all 16 NWSL teams. This program, in collaboration with the NWSL and the American Heart Association, will ensure that all players, coaches, and staff are trained in CPR, making the NWSL the first American professional sports league to provide such training across all teams.
King was selected second overall in the 2024 NWSL Draft by Bay FC, where she made 20 appearances during her rookie season, contributing two assists across 1,220 minutes of play.
In February 2025, King was traded to Angel City, where she signed a contract extension through 2028. The Los Angeles native started all seven matches for Angel City, playing over 600 minutes before her cardiac incident in May.