Just a few months ago, the Savy King collapse mid-match left the soccer community realizing their worst fears. Our favorite athletes, who set the bar in terms of fitness, can have their very bodies fail them. We saw it happen yet again on September 13 in a NWSL game; this time it was Racing Louisville’s midfield powerhouse, Savannah DeMelo.

The match with Seattle Reign FC was halted half an hour into the game as Louisville’s No. 7 collapsed on the pitch and needed immediate attention. The prompt on-field intervention helped stabilize the situation as the 27-year-old was transferred to the local hospital. And the updates have been positive since, as DeMelo recovers slowly. It’s not just good, it’s amazing to hear after the harrowing ordeal. And it is something that Racing Louisville FC can really use now.

In the race for the playoffs, Louisville needs a boost. The DeMelo situation has obviously affected them mentally, and to have it followed by 2 close defeats on the road is like a gut punch. Captain Janine Sonis knows this is the time they need some lifting, and she is taking the lead. Kentucky News Network’s Paul Miles took to X to share the Louisville captain’s words: “The message to the team is:  let’s get home, let’s get back to Louisville, have a day off, reset our minds.”

Racing Louisville is 10th in the NWSL right now and has only 5 more matches in the regular season to sneak into the 8-team playoff bracket. The last-minute defeat to the Seattle Reign didn’t help. It was also the interrupted game in which Savannah DeMelo had that frightening health crisis. The next match was against the Utah Royals, which Louisville lost 3-2.

The 2025 Women’s Cup winners mounted a spirited fightback after going 3-0 down to Utah in the first half. But the strikes of Emma Sears and Captain Sonis weren’t enough. Now, they have a week-long break before they host Angel City on September 27. It’s an uphill task, for sure. But they will be bolstered by the fight Savannah DeMelo is mounting.

The Savannah DeMelo scare and the challenge she has been dealing with

What happened to the USWNT midfielder on September 13 was not exactly like the previous incident that took place on March 23 in the match against Bay FC. She was substituted in the 43rd minute, following which the fans were made aware of the situation. “Savannah DeMelo is en route to a local hospital with Erin Morton, Racing Louisville’s medical director, for a precautionary evaluation after experiencing lightheadedness…” read Racing Louisville FC’s tweet.

On both occasions, the spirited midfielder has rallied as her problems haven’t been able to keep her away from soccer for long. But there were critical underlying issues. After the scare in March, Savannah DeMelo revealed to the world for the first time that she had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism in the fall of 2024.

As per the Mayo Clinic website, “Graves’ disease is an immune system condition that affects the thyroid gland. It causes the body to make too much thyroid hormone.” Excess thyroid can cause increased heart rate, sweating, anxiety, tremors, and sleep problems among other issues.

“Playing a 90-minute game felt unbearable,” told DeMelo to 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.” However, the solutions were soon found as the bloodwork in October 2024 led to changes in medication, which slowed down her thyroid and lowered her heart rate.

DeMelo had been consulting an endocrinologist on a regular basis to keep it under control. But now and then, the chronic problem comes back to haunt her, like it did at Lumen Field. She has been stable and alert as per the updates from NWSL. Savannah DeMelo was awaiting the result of the tests, as she had thanked the community for their overwhelming support.

We can’t wait to see her back on the pitch. Of course, after a full recovery and when she is feeling her absolute best.