Star midfielder Savannah DeMelo was named on Monday to the NWSL Best XI Second Team, presented by Mastercard, capping a stellar 2023 campaign.
The NWSL announced both the first and second Best XI teams to kick off NWSL Championship week, with individual player awards set to be revealed over the next few days. NJ/NY Gotham FC and OL Reign will play for the NWSL Championship at 8 p.m. ET Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
The 25-year-old DeMelo just completed a second standout season in the NWSL, leading Racing with eight goals and three assists across all competitions. She earned NWSL Player of the Month honors in May and was twice named to the league’s Team of the Month. In helping Louisville reach the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup final, DeMelo also claimed a spot on the Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team.
In two years at Racing, DeMelo has quickly risen to second on the club’s all-time scoring list, with nine regular-season goals, and is tied for the lead in all-time assists (4). Over back-to-back seasons, the California native led the NWSL in fouls won, proving to be one of the league’s trickiest players. She also ranked eighth in duels won and 13th in chances created this year despite missing four league games through 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup duty or suspension.
On the international level, DeMelo also made waves, becoming the first American since Shannon Boxx in 2003 to be called into the U.S. Women’s National Team’s World Cup squad despite having zero appearances. The USC graduate started twice in the world’s biggest tournament.
Best XI First Team, Presented by Mastercard
GK: Jane Campbell (HOU)
DF: Naomi Girma (SD)
DF: Ali Krieger (NJNY)
DF: Sarah Gorden (LA)
DF: Sam Staab (WAS)
MF: Sam Coffey (POR)
MF: Debinha (KCC)
MF/F: Jaedyn Shaw (SD)
F: Kerolin (NCC)
F: Sophia Smith (POR)
F: Lynn Williams (NJNY)
Best XI Second Team, Presented by Mastercard
GK: Kailen Sheridan (SD)
DF: Emily Fox (NCC)
DF: Kaleigh Kurtz (NCC)
DF: Jenna Nighswonger (NJNY)
DF: M.A. Vignola (LA)
MF: Savannah DeMelo (LOU)
MF: Savannah McCaskill (LA)
MF: Denise O’Sullivan (NCC)
F: Ashley Hatch (WAS)
F: Alex Morgan (SD)
F: Trinity Rodman (WAS)
