SAN JOSE – National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Jessica Berman acknowledged it was a mistake to resume an NWSL game after Angel City defender Savy King collapsed in the 75th minute against Utah last weekend.
“As we regrouped internally we of course came to the conclusion that the game should not have continued,” Berman said. “We are committed to ensuring that it wouldn’t happen again in a similar situation moving forward. Everything that we do, every season, gives us an opportunity to learn and be better, and that’s what we’re committed to do going forward.”
Berman spoke to reporters at halftime of Bay FC’s 2-0 win over Angel City Saturday night at PayPal Park. It was Angel City’s first game since King – Bay FC’s first-ever draft pick who was traded to her hometown team in February – had a medical emergency on the field.
King is recovering from subsequent surgery for a heart abnormality, and both teams wore “SK3” warmup shirts honoring her on Saturday night.
Berman would not answer specific questions about how the decision was made to finish the Angel City-Utah game, including whether she was awake at the time of the incident and when she was informed.
“As we reviewed the situation, I don’t think it’s constructive to recount who did what and when,” Berman said. “Our focus was really on making sure that the player was cared for, we were quite relieved that she had the resources. And so all we can do is learn from the experience and conclude that in a future situation we will ensure that our policy and protocols will not allow the game to continue.”
In a similar situation, the NFL suspended a game after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field.
Berman also did not provide an update on the league’s investigation into Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya. Two former players had accused Montoya of creating a toxic environment, leading the league to announce a third-party review.
“No specific update other than the investigation is underway and we’re actively working on it,” Berman said. “And when we have more things to share we’ll communicate it.”
Bay FC’s Penelope Hocking (55) celebrates after scoring a goal against Angel City FC during first half at the PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Berman, attending a Bay FC game for the first time, saw the hosts continue their strong starts. Eight of Bay FC’s 10 goals have come in the first half.
Penelope Hocking scored off a cross from rookie Taylor Huff in the 23rd minute, and Caroline Conti converted a penalty kick five minutes later after Emily Menges was taken down in the box.
It was the second straight game with a goal for Hocking, and the first pro assist for Huff, a three-time All-American at Tennessee and Florida State. Jordan Silkowitz made four saves to record her third shutout as Bay FC (3-4-2) improved to 3-0 all-time against its in-state rival, with the wins coming by a combined score of 4-0.
Bay FC’s Caroline Conti (15) scores a goal on a penalty kick against Angel City FC during first half at the PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Berman praised the second-year franchise, which was fourth last year in attendance at more than 13,000 fans a game. The announced crowd was 14,241 on Saturday night, right around Bay FC’s season average.
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“The state of California has so much soccer being played here,” Berman said. “Obviously bringing a team to the Bay Area was long overdue.”
Bay FC and Utah came aboard last year, part of the league’s rapid expansion. Boston and Denver will join next season, giving the NWSL 16 teams.
“For each of the last three seasons we’ve broken every record in attendance, viewership, and other metrics like social media,” Berman said. “Everything is tracking really strongly this year.”
The NWSL averaged a record 11,250 fans per match last year, a 6% increase from 2023.
Bay FC’s Rachel Hill (21) jumps for the ball against Angel City FC’s M.A. Vignola (16) during the second half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Abby Dahlkemper (13) jumps for the ball against Angel City FC during second half at the PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Rachel Hill (21) and Angel City FC’s Miyabi Moriya (29) fight for the ball during second half at the PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Taylor Huff (7) and Angel City FC’s M.A. Vignola (16) collide during first half at the PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Dorian Bailey (19) celebrates her 100th NWSL appearance before a game against Angel City FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Alex Cooper, the host of Spotify’s Call Her Daddy podcast, hugs NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman before a game between Bay FC and Angel City FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)