Us midfielder Savannah Demelo collapsed during a NWSL match but is now stable. The match between Seattle Reign and Racing Louisville was postponed. Demelo has been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. The soccer community is supporting her recovery.
In a frightening incident during a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) match, USA midfielder Savannah DeMelo collapsed on the pitch. The incident occurred during first-half stoppage time in Racing Louisville's away game against Seattle Reign on Sunday. The good news is that DeMelo is now reported to be "stable and alert" after receiving immediate medical attention.
The 27-year-old DeMelo was treated on the field by medical personnel before being transported to a local hospital via ambulance. The match, which was still scoreless at the time of the incident, has been postponed and will be resumed at a later date. The NWSL released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Savannah is stable and alert and getting the attention she needs. Our first priority is her health and safety. We are in close communication with Racing Louisville's medical team."
The league also emphasized its commitment to player safety, adding, "The NWSL remains committed to ensuring that the highest standards of medical care and emergency response are in place at every match."
This is not the first time DeMelo's health has been a concern. She was previously withdrawn from a match against Bay FC in March due to unspecified health issues. In May, DeMelo publicly announced that she had been diagnosed with Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. Symptoms can include anxiety, tremors, heat sensitivity, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.
The Seattle Reign also took to X to express their support for DeMelo and Racing Louisville, stating, "Sending all our love to Savannah DeMelo and everyone at Racing Lou FC. We stand side by side with Louisville during this time and thank our fans for their support."
Savannah DeMelo is a key player for both Racing Louisville and the US Women's National Team. She has earned seven caps for the USA and is considered a rising star in the world of women's soccer. Her health and well-being are of paramount importance, and the soccer community is united in hoping for her speedy and full recovery.
The incident underscores the importance of having robust medical protocols in place at all sporting events, particularly in professional leagues where athletes push their bodies to the limit. The NWSL's commitment to ensuring high standards of medical care is a welcome sign, and hopefully, this incident will serve as a reminder of the need for constant vigilance and improvement in this area.
As the soccer world awaits further updates on DeMelo's condition, the focus remains on her recovery. The thoughts and prayers of fans, teammates, and rivals are with her during this challenging time. We hope to see her back on the field soon, healthy and strong.
The match between Seattle Reign and Racing Louisville will be rescheduled, but the priority right now is undoubtedly the health of Savannah DeMelo. The soccer community has shown its support and solidarity, and we can only hope for the best possible outcome.
Racing Louisville has played 18 times with Savannah DeMelo in 2025.