A NWSL match between Racing Louisville and Seattle Reign was abandoned on Sunday after a medical emergency involving Savannah DeMelo.
The incident occurred in first-half stoppage time, when the 27-year-old Louisville midfielder slowly took a seated position on the field.
A referee called for trainers to assist, but seconds later, she collapsed while a teammate was holding her arm in an effort to keep her upright.
DeMelo, who has made seven appearances for the USWNT alongside record-breaking teammate Naomi Girma, was taken to a nearby hospital in an ambulance, and Louisville confirmed she was ‘stable and alert’ in a statement shared after the match was suspended.
“Tonight’s Racing Louisville game at Seattle Reign FC has been abandoned following a medical emergency involving Racing midfielder Savannah DeMelo,” the message, posted on social media, read.
“Savannah, who received immediate on-field care from medical personnel, is stable and alert.
“She was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. The remainder of the game will be rescheduled for a further date, and further updates will be provided as appropriate.”
Savannah DeMelo of Racing Louisville FC receives medical attention during the NWSL match between Racing Louisville and Portland Thorns. (Photo by Chris Carter/NWSL via Getty Images)
The NWSL also released a statement on DeMelo’s collapse, noting the league’s ‘first priority’ is player safety.
“Savannah received immediate on-field care from medical personnel and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation,” the statement read.
“Our first priority is her health and safety. We are in close communication with Racing Louisville’s medical team.
“We recognise the concern this incident may cause, particularly in light of recent conversations around player safety.
“The NWSL remains committed to ensuring that the highest standards of medical care and emergency response are in place at every match.”
The match between Seattle and Louisville was scoreless at the time of DeMelo’s collapse, and the remainder will be played on a date mutually agreed by both teams.
DeMelo, the fourth pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, revealed in May that she has been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism.
Attention was drawn to her health two months earlier, when she felt dizzy and tight in the chest during Louisville’s road game against Bay FC.
Her heart rate wasn’t slowing and she struggled to breathe for three minutes.
DeMelo was stretchered off the field and taken to a local hospital on that occasion, in what was a scary incident for teammates and onlookers.
She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism in fall 2024.
