DeMelo Receives First U.S. National Team Call-Up
August 29, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release
Racing Louisville FC midfielder Savannah DeMelo received a landmark first call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team for its September friendlies, it was announced Monday.
DeMelo joined the USWNT as a replacement for forward Trinity Rodman, who will not attend training camp due to a family commitment. She’s part of a 23-player roster for games against Nigeria at 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday in Kansas City, Kan., and at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 6 in Washington, D.C. Those matches will air on FOX and ESPN2, respectively.
Selected fourth overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft, DeMelo has emerged as a Rookie of the Year candidate out of the University of Southern California. She so far numbers three goals and an assist in 17 appearances, all starts.
DeMelo’s 1,520 minutes played lead all NWSL rookies. She also tops the entire league in crosses (121) and fouls drawn (57).
Dangerous on set pieces, DeMelo counts among her achievements a game-winning free kick May 18 against first-place San Diego Wave FC. She wound up making the NWSL’s Best XI for that month, her first in the league.
The 24-year-old was more recently named the NWSL’s Rookie of the Month for July. She went a full 90 minutes in all four of Racing’s games, scoring in two of them, including her second free kick goal July 3 in a draw with the Orlando Pride.
From Bellflower, California, DeMelo was a mainstay on All Pac-12 teams throughout her time at USC. Internationally, she was a member of U.S. teams at the 2016 and 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups. At the 2018 U-20 World Cup, she led the USA in scoring with four goals, a total that included a hat trick against Paraguay and a single score against Spain.
DeMelo is tied for fourth all-time in caps at the U-19/U-20 level with 38 games played. She also has experience with the U.S. Women’s Youth National Teams at the U-14, U-15 and U-18 levels.
DeMelo will be joined in the upcoming USWNT camp by Racing teammate Emily Fox, who has carved out a regular role at outside back for the national team.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club)
Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders (6): Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current); Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC)
Midfielders (8): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC) Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
Forwards (6): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC)
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