Position: Midfielder
Birthdate: Mar. 26, 1998
Hometown: Bellflower, California
Height: 5-foot-5
Pronunciation: Savannah DeMelo
Previous Team: University of Southern California (NCAA)
2024: DeMelo appeared in 21 matches, making 20 starts. The versatile midfielder scored five goals, including a brace in a statement 5-1 home win April 20 over the Utah Royals. She also logged two assists, moving into first in career goals (14) and assists (6) for the club. DeMelo was named to May’s NWSL Team of the Month.
2023: DeMelo started in 20 of her 21 appearances for Racing across all competitions in 2023, registering career-highs in goals scored (8) and assists (3). She ranked among the league’s leaders in fouls won (1st), duels won (7th) and chances created from open play (8th). The midfielder was named to the NWSL Team of the Month for May and June and the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament team. She became the first Racing player selected as an NWSL Player of the Month, earning the recognition in May.
2022: As a rookie, DeMelo started in all 22 regular-season matches, logging the most minutes of any Louisville field player and finishing first the NWSL in chances created and fouls won. She scored her professional goal on a free kick against the San Diego Wave. The midfielder went on score four times, including a league-best two off a direct free kick, with two assists. DeMelo was named to the NWSL Team of the Month for May and Rookie of the Month of July.
Before Racing Louisville FC: During a collegiate career interrupted by an Achilles injury, DeMelo still managed 75 appearances and helped USC to postseason appearances each year she was in the pitch (2017-2018, 2020-2021). Along the way she four times received All-Pac-12 honors and was recognized in 2018 as an All-American.
The Bellflower, Calif., native DeMelo returned to pre-injury form as a senior in 2021, scoring 4 goals and numbering 7 assists while starting all 20 of the Trojans’ games. USC finished second in the Pac-12 with an 8-1-2 record in league play.
International: After becoming the first uncapped U.S. Women’s National Team player named to a World Cup roster since Shannon Boxx in 2003, DeMelo earned her first cap in a match against Wales before the tournament. She earned two starts at the World Cup. As of September 2023, DeMelo has tallied four international appearances.
