England and Houston Dash forward Rachel Daly was treated for heat exhaustion after collapsing late on in a National Women’s Soccer League game.
Daly was stretchered off in the 32C heat and high humidity during her side’s 2-0 defeat to Seattle Reign on Saturday.
The 25-year-old was first forced to her knees before falling to her back in the sweltering heat of Texas.
Here is @HoustonDash Rachel Daly collapsing at end of Dash game at @BBVACompassStdm. Getting treated now, no update on condition yet. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/R8HfbsU4Jk
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) May 27, 2017
Daly was taken to hospital and treated for heat illness but was released later that day.
“Everyone who knows me knows I’m a player who will give everything and those conditions are not safe to play at your maximum,” she said on social media after the game.
Thank you to everyone pic.twitter.com/nWDbt4qRIP
— Rachel Daly (@RachelDaly3) May 28, 2017
The National Women’s Soccer League have since insisted that they will review their current measures of scheduling games in the summer heat.
The NWSL released the following statement:
“First and foremost, we want to wish Rachel Daly a quick recovery, as well as other players who may have been impacted by the heat during today’s match between the Houston Dash and Seattle Reign.
“The safety of our players is always our top priority and due to the high temperature today in Houston, we implemented water breaks to provide additional opportunities to help the players stay hydrated.
“Prior to the season, we also worked with the Dash on scheduling any nationally televised afternoon games earlier in the year in an attempt to avoid the summer heat that unfortunately we experienced today.
“We will immediately review these measures to prevent this situation from occurring in the future.”
