Midfielder Savannah DeMelo added two more years to her contract with Racing Louisville FC, extending her deal through the 2025 season, the club announced Sunday.
The news comes as the 24-year-old DeMelo puts the finishing touches of her first season in the National Women’s Soccer League, a breakout rookie campaign in which she has totaled four goals and one assist. The Californian won NWSL Rookie of the Month honors for July and was also named to May’s Best XI team, becoming an integral part of Racing’s present and future.
“I love this team,” DeMelo said. “I’ve really grown to love this city and community and all the girls on the team and the staff. It’s a great place for me to keep growing and hopefully help the team in any way I can and impact the team for years to come.”
The fourth pick in the NWSL Draft, DeMelo made an immediate impact on a young Racing squad. She ranks first in the league in chances created and fouls won, in addition to fifth in possessions won and 12th in total minutes played by non-goalkeepers.
DeMelo has especially thrived in set piece situations, scoring two goals off direct free kicks and producing a highlight-reel assist on Gemma Bonner’s back-heel flick for a goal. She is the only player in the NWSL to score twice on a direct free kick this season, including the game-winning goal against first-place San Diego in May.
“I’m just grateful and blessed for the opportunity to be playing as much as I have been and impacting the team,” DeMelo said. “It’s all due to the staff and my teammates who have helped me along the way.”
Her standout play through her rookie season earned her a first call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team as an injury replacement, training with the senior team and being included on the substitutes bench earlier this month.
“Savannah’s development has been remarkable,” said Racing coach Kim Björkegren. “She came in as a rookie almost eight months months ago, and now, as we’re signing her to a new contract, we’re not just doing it with a top player in the NWSL — we’re also doing it with a U.S. national team player. She is important for this team, both on and off the pitch, and I’m looking forward to seeing her in the Racing shirt for many more years.”
A midfield partner with fellow rookie Jaelin Howell, DeMelo came to Louisville by way of USC, where she was a three-time All-Pac-12 selection and an All-American.
DeMelo has also been a longtime fixture in the U.S. Youth National Team setup, featuring for the Americans at two U-20 World Cups and also playing for the U-14, U-15 and U-18 teams.
Already a graduate of USC with her bachelor’s degree, DeMelo recently completed her master’s degree in public health while completing an internship with Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training, the namesake of Racing’s practice facility and stadium.
