Racing Louisville MF Savannah DeMelo sues team doctors after in-game cardiac arrest - USA Today
Racing Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo has filed a lawsuit against University of Louisville Health and two physicians for failing to properly diagnose a heart condition that led to her suffering cardiac arrest during a game in September 2025.
Among the parties listed as a defendant in the lawsuit is Dr. Jennifer Daily, the chief medical officer for Racing Louisville. Daily is not a Racing Louisville employee, working for the NWSL team under its contract with UofL Health.
According to a person familiar with the arrangement, Racing Louisville is not expected to retain UofL Health as its medical partner next season. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the terms.
DeMelo collapsed during a NWSL match at the Seattle Reign on Sept. 14, 2025. The midfielder originally appeared unresponsive as medics rushed onto the field to treat her. She was later stretchered into an ambulance, and the game was abandoned.
After the game, Racing Louisville released a statement saying that DeMelo was "stable and alert." She has not played since that incident.
On Monday, Sept. 14, DeMelo marked the one-year anniversary of her collapse with a post on Instagram. It was the first time she had revealed publicly that she suffered a cardiac arrest.
"A year ago today, while playing soccer, I collapsed due to an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia, that caused me to go into cardiac arrest," the 28-year-old said. "I respect and appreciate the privacy everyone has met me with while going through everything I have this year.
"I’ll never be able to fully put into words how emotionally hard this year has been. There has been a lot of uncertainty and emotions intertwined with it all.
"I’m forever grateful for the amazing doctors at UW and Mayo Clinic that have gotten me to where I am today. And to my fiancé, family, and friends who have been with me through every step along the way."
DeMelo's health was brought to the forefront in March 2025 when she was forced to leave a match at Bay FC due to feeling lightheaded. The midfielder revealed in May 2025 that she had been diagnosed with Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism.
According to the lawsuit filed in Jefferson Circuit on Friday, Sept. 11, DeMelo was under the care of Dr. Daily from Jan. 17, 2024 to July 23, 2026. The suit also claims UofL Health, its sports medicine physician and its cardiologist "acted negligently and failed to act as a reasonably prudent and competent" medical provider.
According to the suit, DeMelo "suffered a permanent impairment in her power to labor and earn money" due to her medical situation.
But according to the person with knowledge, DeMelo is nearing a return to the field for Racing Louisville, which could come as soon as a Sept. 25 home game against the San Diego Wave. The midfielder could have returned sooner were it not for an unrelated injury.
DeMelo is also close to signing a contract extension with Racing Louisville, which drafted her in 2022.
Since she was drafted, DeMelo has been one of Racing Louisville's most vital players when healthy. She has 17 career NWSL goals along with eight assists, earning NWSL Best XI Second Team honors in 2023.
DeMelo made her U.S. women's national team debut at the 2023 World Cup, playing in two matches at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. She has seven total caps, most recently appearing for the USWNT in December 2023.
USA TODAY Sports has approached Racing Louisville for comment.
