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Racing Louisville’s away fixture against Seattle Reign was abandoned Sunday evening following a medical scare involving U.S. international Savannah DeMelo.
The 27-year-old midfielder went down during first-half stoppage time, sitting on the turf before collapsing moments later as teammates and officials urgently called for medical help. She received immediate treatment on the pitch from staff of both clubs before being transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
Racing later confirmed in a statement that DeMelo “received immediate on-field care from medical personnel, is stable and alert, and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.” The club added: “The remainder of the game will be rescheduled for a later date, and further updates will be provided as appropriate.”
The score was 0-0 at the time play was stopped. Broadcasters covering the match on Paramount+ told viewers that the fixture had been officially postponed and would resume at a later date set by the league.
The NWSL emphasized that its priority was DeMelo’s wellbeing. “Our first priority is (DeMelo’s) health and safety, and we are in close communication with Reign FC and Racing Louisville’s medical teams,” the league said in a statement. “We recognize 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.”
Seattle Reign also posted a message of support: “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.”
DeMelo has spoken publicly about her health challenges in recent months. In May, she revealed she had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism, following a March incident in which she was forced off during a match against Bay FC after experiencing chest tightness and dizziness. “Playing a 90-minute game felt unbearable,” DeMelo told ESPN. “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, Racing Louisville’s No. 4 pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, has become a cornerstone of the club with 17 goals and eight assists, while also earning seven caps with the U.S. women’s national team, including an appearance at the 2023 World Cup.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Obi, Instagram / @nwsl
