Savannah DeMelo is the one name on the women’s World Cup roster you might not recognize. And that would be understandable since she hasn’t played for the team yet – she has no caps for the United States.
DeMelo is the first uncapped women’s national team player to get a World Cup call-up since Shannon Boxx in 2003.
“It’s happening.”
And it’s official: Savannah DeMelo is going to the @FIFAWWC! She spoke with @bekki_morgan about her inclusion on the star-studded roster, her role and more! 🇺🇸
➡️: https://t.co/AR3XGsZNc2 pic.twitter.com/hZSVYNQmAe
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) June 21, 2023
But the reason she made the team is because she has been unstoppable for her NWSL team Racing Louisville. Scoring all kinds of goals, from penalty kicks to volleys with the inside of her foot to goals from pressing the keeper.
Racing Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo is red hot, having a hand in seven goals over her past five games. Re-live each goal of DeMelo’s hot streak in the video below.
DeMelo played with the national team during the U-20 World Cup, so she is known amongst many of the players on the roster. At 25 years old, she is a bit older for only playing in her second year of professional soccer. But she tore her ACL in college, playing at USC, so spent five years there.
She plays with a lot of energy and fight, something any team needs. The question is if she has the pace to play at the international level. Or if her NWSL success so far can translate to the high pressure of the World Cup.
DeMelo should earn her first cap in a friendly versus Wales on July 9th. Ahead of the World Cup. Surprisingly, the team doesn’t have a few more friendly matches before the tournament starts.
However, for DeMelo, the midfield is pretty stacked. With players like Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis, Ashley Sanchez and Andi Sullivan all fight for time on the field. Again though, DeMelo plays with a certain kind of fire and energy that every team needs.
Let’s hope Savannah DeMelo can score goals like this in the World Cup.
