Racing Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo is ‘stable and alert’ after being stretchered off the field following a collapse in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Reign.
Near the end of the first half at Lumen Field, DeMelo sat down on the field and appeared unresponsive. She did manage to sit up as medics rushed onto the pitch to treat her.
DeMelo was stretchered into an ambulance, with referees opting to end the first half early. The game was eventually abandoned with the score tied 0-0. It will be resumed at a later date from where it was stopped.
Several of DeMelo’s teammates appeared to be emotional on the field, as was Racing Louisville head coach Bev Yanez.
Racing Louisville released a statement after the match was abandoned, saying that DeMelo was ‘stable and alert’ following a ‘medical emergency.’
Louisville said that DeMelo had been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The Reign said in a statement that they ‘stand side by side with Louisville during this time.’
DeMelo’s health was brought to the forefront in March when she was forced to leave a match at Bay FC due to feeling lightheaded.
The midfielder revealed this May that she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism last fall.
Hyperthyroidism can cause a number of symptoms, including an increased or irregular heartbeat, tiredness, muscle weakness and weight loss. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to hyperthyroidism.
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