Utah's Alex Loera leaned on faith in return from year-long ACL injury, Royals' 2-0 loss to Angel City
Angel City handed Utah Royals FC a third-straight loss, 2-0 in Los Angeles. But afterward, the two sides came together in prayer for LA's Savy King.
Another example of bigger things than soccer took place on the pitch Friday night in Los Angeles, when players from Angel City FC and Utah Royals FC came together at midfield to pray for Savy King, the Angel City defender who had to be taken away by ambulance after falling to the ground with what officials described as a “medical episode” that sent emergency medical staff running with oxygen masks in tow.
At the request of Utah captain Kate Del Fava and Los Angeles’ Sarah Gorden, the group asked Alex Loera — newly returned from the season-ending injury list and a Utah midfielder who played with King at Bay FC — to lead the group in prayer.
For much of the past year, Loera had leaned on her faith to get her through her own medical troubles. On Friday night, her faith helped a group of players worried for a teammate, colleague and friend.
“When something like that happens, it reminds not only players but fans that there are bigger things in life than soccer,” Loera said after the Royals’ 2-0 road loss that dropped the club to 1-7-1 on the 2025 NWSL season.
“Obviously, Savy King is one of my good friends, too,” she added. “So we’re praying for here and sending peace to her family during this time.”
It was a scary moment, not only for King but for players on both rosters who were visibly shaken and emotional as one of their own dropped to the pitch. Several fans in LA, too, were visibly aggrieved, as well.
From across social media, the proverbial “thoughts and prayers” began spreading on behalf of King, the former No. 2 pick in the 2024 NWSL draft alongside former North Carolina teammate Ally Sentnor of Utah.
King was taken from the field by cart after emergency medical crews worked with her for several minutes (roughly 12 minutes of stoppage time was added at the end of the game, largely based off the medical stoppage).
Afterwards, Angel City confirmed that the 20-year-old Southern California native was alert and responsive, able to be with family, as medical crews continued to evaluate her and transported her to a local hospital.
Whether or not the match should’ve continued is perhaps a subject for another newsletter. In the end, it was finished, a 2-0 loss for the Royals — a third consecutive defeat and the sixth in the first eight matches of the season.
Amid a long list of injured players — and one that continues to grow, with Imani Dorsey (ankle), Mikayla Cluff (head) and Macey Fraser (knee) joining Paige Monaghan (foot), Kaleigh Riehl (lower leg), Tatumn Milazzo (knee), Cloe Lacasse (knee), Claudia Zornoza (lower leg) and Bianca St-Georges (thigh) among the wounded.
Coming off the season-ending injury list was Loera, who tore her ACL in a match April 20, 2024 with Bay FC. After re-connecting with former Kansas City teammate Del Fava, she worked out a move to Utah that both squads felt could be of benefit.
But first, Loera had to work back into full fitness and recovery. During the past year, she leaned on her faith.
“It’s been a really long journey,” she said. “I just really leaned on my faith at that time, and let God do it.
“I have an amazing team and amazing staff who has been so supportive during this time and showed their belief in me so that when I was able to step on the field, I was able to step on with confidence in myself and my team. That confidence really went a long way tonight.”
Utah manager Jimmy Coenraets added Loera “found herself” through her faith over the past year.
“That moment is kind of who Alex is,” he added.
She also never complained during those grueling rehab days, showing up to the Royals’ training facility in Herriman with a smile, Del Fava said.
“It’s been incredible to watch Alex on this journey,” she added. “She has every reason to put her head down and be negative, and she never does. She shows up every day with a smile. She’s somebody I look up to, even though she’s younger than me.
“She’s earned getting back on the pitch,” Del Fava said. “And even in those 15 minutes (against Angel City), you could see the quality she brings to our midfield.”
Loera entered the pitch after another second-half sub — Angel City’s Christen Press — had made all the difference.
Press didn’t hesitate, either.
The 36-year-old Angel City striker had barely stepped onto the pitch when she broke free in the 66th minute against one of her many former clubs.
The 5-foot-7 forward who has seen better days since suffering an ACL injury in 2022 sprinted down the right win, took a pass from teammate Alanna Kennedy, sent her accompanying defender to the turf and slotted him a vintage goal past U.S. international goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn to give Angel City a 1-0 lead over Utah Royals FC.
“As a finisher, this was kind of what you dreamed up,” Press said. “I was really happy I was able to put it all together.”
Alyssa Thompson doubled the advantage in the seventh minute of stoppage time, sliding a touch inside the box inside the far post to push hosts up, 2-0 and Angel City clinched its second consecutive victory.
A victory swallowed up in emotion, but — fortunately — not loss.
“In those moments, I’m not sure if we should’ve continued the game,” Coenraets admitted. “All of our players were just scared, and that’s not the right situation to be in.
“At that point, there is a result and there is a game,” he added. “But you just want to make sure people felt safe and healthy.”
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
LA: Christen Press (Alanna Kennedy) 66’
LA: Alyssa Thompson (Unassisted) 90+7’
LINEUPS:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Mandy McGlynn, Janni Thomsen, Kate Del Fava ©, Lauren Flynn, Madison Pogarch; Dana Foederer (Alex Loera, 84’), Ana Tejada (KK Ream, 87’); Mina Tanaka; Brecken Mozingo (Ana Maria Guzman, 90+2’), Ally Sentnor, Cece Kizer (Aisha Solórzano, 67’)
Subs not used: Mia Justus, Nuria Rábano, Aria Nagai
Angel City FC (4-3-3): Angelina Anderson; Sarah Gorden ©, Savy King (Megan Reid, 85’), MA Vignola, Gisele Thompson (Miyabi Moriya, 88’); Alanna Kennedy, Kennedy Fuller (Maiara Niehus, 85’), Katie Zelem (Madison Hammond, 85’); Claire Emslie (Christen Press, 65’), Alyssa Thompson, Riley Tiernan
Subs not used: Hannah Stambaugh, Julie Dufour, Casey Phair, Macey Hodge
Stats Summary: LA / UTA
Possession: 57.7 / 42.3
Shots: 18 / 15
Shots on Goal: 5 / 7
Corner Kicks: 6 / 4
Fouls: 12 / 4
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
LA: Gisele Thompson (Yellow Card - 11’)
LA: Katie Zelem (Yellow Card - 47’)
LA: Alyssa Thompson (Yellow Card - 51’)