National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) star Savannah DeMelo is “stable” after a scary collapse during a game.
DeMelo, 27, sat down in the game’s final minutes on Sunday, September 15, and then appeared to fall over backward. She was immediately treated by medical staff from her team (Racing Louisville) and that of her opponent (Seattle Reign) and taken to a nearby hospital.
Hours later, the NWSL announced in a statement via social media that DeMelo was “alert” and that the game would be rescheduled.
“Tonight’s match between Seattle Reign FC and Racing Louisville FC has been abandoned following a medical emergency involving Racing Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo,” the statement read. “Savannah received immediate on-field care from medical personnel and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. She is stable and alert.”
The statement continued, “Our first priority is her health and safety, and we are in close communication with Reign FC and Racing Louisville medical teams. We recognize the concern this incident may cause, particularly in light of recent conversations around player safety. The NSWL remains committed to ensuring that the highest standards of medical care and emergency response are in place at every match.”
“The remainder of the match will be rescheduled for a later date and further updates will be provided when appropriate,” the statement concluded.
The NWSL Players Association, the official labor union for the athletes, also issued a statement. “Postponing the match was the right decision, as nothing is more important than the safety of Players and staff on the field,” the message said. “This is a challenging time for all those affected, and we ask for continued respect of everyone’s privacy.”
In May 2025, DeMelo revealed she’d been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism the year before.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Graves’ disease is an immune system condition that impacts the thyroid gland. Symptoms include feeling nervous, having a slight tremor, being sensitive to heat, bulging eyes, and heart palpitations. The Mayo Clinic also states that hyperthyroidism, which occurs if the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, can result in irregular heart beats and hand tremors.
In May, DeMelo told ESPN the Graves’ disease symptoms impact her while she plays.
“Playing a 90-minute game felt unbearable,” she explained. “I would get to maybe the 25th minute, and I felt like my heart was just like beating so fast, like out of my chest. I felt so out of breath, so out of shape. I didn’t really know what was going on.”
DeMelo was drafted as the No. 4 overall pick by Racing Louisville in 2022. She is currently the team’s leader in goals and assists.
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