US SOCCER STAR TAKES LEGAL ACTION OVER CARDIAC ARREST DURING MATCH

United States women’s national team player Savannah DeMelo has filed a lawsuit against a hospital and two doctors over a cardiac arrest she suffered during a National Women’s Soccer League match in September 2025. The 28-year-old Racing Louisville midfielder filed the case at the Jefferson Circuit Court in Kentucky against University of Louisville Health, Dr Sarabjeet Suri and Dr Jennifer Daily.

DeMelo collapsed during the first half of Racing Louisville’s match against Seattle Reign on September 14, 2025, and has not returned to competitive football since the incident. According to the lawsuit, she had complained of chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath before the cardiac arrest, while Dr Daily had referred her to Dr Suri in March 2025 for further evaluation and treatment.

Court documents allege that Dr Suri obtained DeMelo’s medical history, conducted a physical examination and ordered diagnostic tests during the evaluation. However, nearly six months later, DeMelo suffered the cardiac arrest and was subsequently diagnosed and treated for ventricular tachycardia, an abnormal heart rhythm. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants failed to provide the level of medical care expected of reasonably competent medical professionals and that their alleged negligence contributed to her injuries.

Dr Daily, according to her University of Louisville biography, is Racing Louisville’s chief medical officer, while the lawsuit states that DeMelo was under her care from January 2024 until July 2026. Marking one year since her collapse, DeMelo said she had suffered an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia that caused her heart to stop and described the period since the incident as emotionally difficult, while also thanking people for respecting her privacy.

DeMelo has seven senior appearances for the United States and was part of the American squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she started the team’s opening two matches. She has spent her entire professional career with Racing Louisville but has not played competitively since the cardiac arrest. The allegations contained in her lawsuit have not been proven in court, and the legal case remains ongoing.