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Racing Louisville FC has agreed to terms with another member of its 2022 NWSL Draft class, signing midfielder Savannah DeMelo to her first professional contract, the club announced Friday.

The University of Southern California product DeMelo, selected fourth overall in the draft, inked a two-year deal with preseason training kicking off earlier this week. Her signing follows that of second overall pick Jaelin Howell out of Florida State.

“Savannah is a very talented midfielder with good touch on the ball who can both score and create goals for others,” said Racing’s head coach, Kim Björkegren. “While she has already been called up as a U.S. youth international, I wouldn’t be surprised if we one day see her on the senior team.”

During a collegiate career interrupted by an Achilles injury, DeMelo still managed 75 appearances and helped USC to postseason appearances each year she was on 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.

Along with her success at the collegiate level, DeMelo received a number of United States youth national team call ups. She was a member of both the 2016 and 2018 U-20 World Cup squads in Papa New Guinea and France. She has also represented the U.S. at the U-14, U-15 and U-18 levels.

“I am super excited to be part of the team,” DeMelo said of officially joining Racing. “I can’t wait to put everything I can into it and get prepared for the Challenge Cup and the regular season.”

Other members of Racing’s 2022 NWSL Draft class are in for preseason as well to vie for roster spots. In addition to Howell and DeMelo, the club picked Oklahoma State defender Charmé Morgan, Wisconsin goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer, Wake Forest forward Jenna Menta and Georgetown defender Sydney Cummings.

Racing Louisville FC’s inaugural USL W League season will measure 12 games starting this May with the pre-professional circuit’s schedule released Thursday.

The squad — with a roster to be made up of youth academy standouts, college players and other amateur athletes — will play half of those contests at home at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center, where admission is free and open to the public.

Racing starts its season as part of the Great Lakes Division on May 12 at Detroit City FC; hosts the same club in its May 15 home opener; and plays through July 9 against other clubs from Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. The W League postseason will consist of playoffs and a final taking place in July with more details to be announced later.

“Now that the divisions and schedule have been officially announced, everyone can see that the league is on track to be an integral piece of the women’s professional development pathway in this country,” said Kincaid Schmidt, who will coach Racing’s W League side. “For Racing to be one of the clubs involved from its inception affirms our commitment to develop players capable of playing at the highest levels of soccer.

“We have a strong division with terrific clubs, and it will certainly make for entertaining and tightly contested games. I can’t wait to begin our work on the field and to showcase our talent to the community.”

Racing last month became the first W League member to complete its developmental pyramid topped by a franchise from the NWSL, widely regarded as the world’s top pro women’s soccer league. Those interested in playing for Racing’s W League team can fill out this form to be considered.

An all-female technical staff will lead Racing with the USSF A License holder Schmidt serving as head coach. Louisville natives Libby Stout (assistant coach) and Kiley Polk (team administrator) will also work with the team.

Keep up to date on Racing’s W League season at www.racingloufc.com/racingloufc/WLeague.

Racing Louisville FC’s 2022 W League Schedule
(Home games in bold. All times Eastern.)

May 12 at Detroit City FC (7:30 p.m.)
May 15 vs. Detroit City FC (1 p.m.)
May 20 vs. Indy Eleven (7 p.m.)
May 22 vs. Flint City AFC (7 p.m.)
May 25 vs. Kings Hammer FC (7 p.m.)
June 5 vs. Kalamazoo FC (7 p.m.)
June 10 at AFC Ann Arbor (7:30 p.m.)
June 12 at Midwest United FC (6 p.m.)
June 17 at Indy Eleven (7 p.m.)
June 22 vs. AFC Ann Arbor (7 p.m.)
June 30 at Kings Hammer FC (7 p.m.)
July 9 at Flint City AFC (2 p.m.)

Racing Louisville FC defender Emily Fox was on Thursday named to U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s 23-player roster for this month’s 2022 SheBelieves Cup.

The tournament, which also features Czech Republic, New Zealand and Iceland, will be played over three doubleheader events taking place on Feb. 17 and 20 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. and Feb. 23 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

The U.S. roster is made up almost entirely of players who attended the USWNT January training camp in Austin, Texas — among them Fox. The 23-year-old went No. 1 overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft and had a standout first season with Racing, being named to the league’s Best XI Second Team and a Rookie of the Year finalist.

The U.S. is set for SheBelieves Cup matches at 11 p.m. ET on Feb. 17 (Czech Republic, ESPN);  3 p.m. ET on Feb. 20 (New Zealand, ABC); and at 11 p.m. on Feb. 23 (Iceland, ESPN).

Fox, who has made eight senior national team appearances, will be looking for her SheBelieves Cup debut. The invitational originated in 2016 and carries with it a theme to encourage young women to achieve their dreams on and off the field.

USWNT’s 2022 SheBelieves Cup Roster
By position (club: caps/goals)

Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit; 0), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 2), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 78)

Defenders: (8): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 4/0), Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC; 77/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 45/1), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC; 8/0), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign; 9/0), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit; 148/2), Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit; 63/0), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 199/0)

Midfielders (7): Morgan Gautrat (Chicago Red Stars; 87/8), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais, FRA; 108/25), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 68/18), Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyonnais, FRA; 12/3), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 33/4), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 2/0), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 22/2)

Forwards (5): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 4/2), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars; 67/18), Margaret Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 9/2), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 10/1), Lynn Williams (Kansas City Current; 45/14)

Most Racing Louisville FC players officially reported Tuesday for the club’s second-ever preseason training camp that figures to feature heightened competition for a few remaining roster spots.

Twenty-eight players are in camp — a combination of those previously signed, college draft picks and non-roster invitees — as Racing’s staff hones in on which individuals to get under contract.

“I’m super excited to get on the pitch with our players,” said head coach Kim Björkegren. “It’s been three or four months since I’ve been able to run a training session, and I know it’s been about the same for the team to participate in one. We’ll all be figuring things out again with one another and really use the first week to acclimate.

“We have an interesting squad, and the offseason additions speak for themselves in terms of quality. We’ll also have some young players in camp to show what they’ve got. There feels like a lot of energy around the team — both coaches and players — and I can’t wait to get started.”

Racing starts preseason with 17 players under contract. New additions include decorated forward Jess McDonald and the No. 2 overall 2022 NWSL Draft pick Jaelin Howell, a midfielder out of Florida State recently called up to train with the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Others from Howell’s draft class — midfielder Savannah DeMelo (Southern California), defender Charmé Morgan (Oklahoma State), goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer (Wisconsin), forward Jenna Menta (Wake Forest) and defender Sydney Cummings (Georgetown) — have all reported to Louisville for camp.

Playing rights to forward Parker Goins (Arkansas), defender Emily Smith (California) and midfielder Taylor Malham (Arkansas) were picked up through last year’s draft processes. Now termed non-roster invitees, each of them are in Louisville to vie for a contract as well.

Racing has also brought in goalkeepers Hillary Beall (Michigan) and Gabby Kouzelos (Louisville) along with midfielder Sadie Sider-Echenberg from Canada’s University of Ottawa.

Racing is putting the finishing touches on its technical staff. Similar to last year, a preseason schedule being finalized will pit the club’s pros against a number of regional NCAA Division I programs. Preparations lead up to a March 19 start to the NWSL’s Challenge Cup before the regular season opens in May.

With 12 teams in the league thanks to additions of expansion sides Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC, NWSL clubs will play a balanced 22-game slate, facing every club home and away. Six teams will qualify for the playoffs with the NWSL Championship played the weekend of Oct. 28-30.

2022 Racing Louisville FC Roster

Goalkeepers (4): Hillary Beall (NRI), Jordyn Bloomer (CDP), Gabby Kouzelos (NRI), Katie Lund

Defenders (8): Gemma Bonner, Sydney Cummings (CDP), Emily Fox, Nealy Martin, Charmé Morgan (CDP), Addisyn Merrick, Erin Simon, Emily Smith (NRI)

Midfielders (7): Savannah DeMelo (CDP), Jaelin Howell, Taylor Malham (NRI), Lauren Milliet, Freja Olofsson, Taylor Otto, Sadie Sider-Echenberg (NRI)

Forwards (9): Kirsten Davis, Emina Ekic, Parker Goins (NRI), Cece Kizer, Cheyna Matthews (NYR), Jess McDonald, Jenna Menta (CDP), Nadia Nadim (NYR), Ebony Salmon

Key:

CDP – NWSL College Draft Pick

NRI – Non-Roster Invitee

NYR — Not Yet Reported

The National Women’s Soccer League announced Monday that the league and the NWSL Players Association have agreed to their first-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement covering the next five seasons through 2026. The deal signals the collective commitment of owners and players to work in partnership as the NWSL continues its rapid growth. The agreement is subject to final approval from the NWSL Board of Governors.

Commenting on the agreement on behalf of the NWSL Board of Governors, NWSL Interim CEO Marla Messing stated: “This is a historic moment for women’s soccer in the United States. This transformative agreement represents deserved advancements for our players, including significantly stronger compensation packages and benefits, enhanced training and playing environments, and a long-term commitment to continually improve the standards we all regard as essential to securing our position as the best women’s soccer league in the world.

“Our owners are committed to providing the significant and unprecedented investment required to build and sustain a professional women’s soccer league that properly supports our players, both as professional soccer players and as individuals. We thank the NWSLPA leadership and the players for their thoughtful approach on the CBA and look forward to continuing to collaborate with them to create the best environment for our players to succeed.”

The primary terms of the CBA, which are summarized below, and are projected to require an additional incremental investment by NWSL owners of nearly $100 million, include: 

Increased total investment in players

The NWSL will increase investment in (1) player salaries, raising the minimum salary by almost 60% year-over-year to $35,000 and implementing salary increases for all players (2) total compensation, including salary, free housing, transportation, fully-vested 401(k) contributions, health, life and disability insurance, among other material benefits, raising the average total compensation by more than 30% to $54,000 compared to the 2021 season (3) increases in the numbers of and amounts of player bonuses (4) compensation to players for certain promotional and commercial appearances and (5) revenue sharing, introducing the opportunity for players to receive 10% of the net broadcast revenues, if the league is profitable in years 3, 4, and 5 of the CBA.

Introduction of free agency beginning in 2023

The NWSL will introduce free agency in accordance with the following eligibility:

• In 2023, individuals who have six years of service with the NWSL will receive full Free Agency;

• In 2024, individuals who have three years of service in the NWSL will receive Restricted Free Agency; and

• In 2024, individuals who have five years of service in the NWSL will receive full Free Agency.

Defined season, vacation time, and other leave

Players are ensured a fixed season with start and end windows, as well as limits on the maximum number of games in a season and on the frequency of games. Additionally, players will be guaranteed 42 days of vacation, a seven-day summer break (in season), parental leave for new birth or adoptive parents, leave and salary continuation for pregnant players, and mental health leave for players who need it for up to 6 months.

Improved health and wellness benefits

All teams will provide the services of, at minimum, a team physician, massage therapist, sports scientist, sports psychologist, and team clinician to provide mental health services. The league will employ a physician as its Medical Director.

Enhanced group license provisions

The NWSL will commit $255,000 – $300,000 per year for group license rights.

Commenting on behalf of the league’s owners:

“We purchased our team a year ago and have committed to delivering for our players, club, and city,” said Kansas City Current Co-Owner Angie Long. “This CBA represents a league-wide partnership between owners and players to deliver on our shared mission of building the greatest league in the world.”

“This historic agreement formalizes a partnership between owners, front offices and players that is absolutely critical for our league’s long-term growth and success,” said Ed Nalbandian, NJ/NY Gotham FC Owner and Vice-Chair. “I want to thank the players and NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke for the partnership they’ve exhibited in negotiating an agreement that prioritizes player safety, club  accountability, and the financial well-being of our players and league. We’re all in this together, and I want to thank my fellow owners for committing the resources that our players so richly deserve.

“I also want to thank our representatives at the negotiating table, namely Brad Estes, John Walker, and Gotham FC’s own Yael Averbuch, whose expertise and unique perspective proved invaluable.”

The United Soccer League on Monday confirmed 43 clubs will compete in the USL W League’s inaugural 2022 season, with the pre-professional circuit splitting into seven divisions comprised of teams from 20 states.

Racing Louisville FC will compete in a Great Lakes division against teams from Indiana, Ohio and Michigan as play begins in May. The full W League schedule will be announced Thursday.

“The past year has been an incredible period of growth for the women’s game and the USL W League, and we could not be more appreciative of the investment and dedication our clubs have shown to providing more opportunities for players, fans, and executives in women’s soccer,” said Betsy Haugh, USL director of women’s soccer operations.

“We are thrilled to be able to celebrate our inaugural season in more than 40 communities around the country and look forward to kicking off in May.”

Racing earlier this month became the first W League member to complete its developmental pyramid topped by a franchise from the NWSL, widely regarded as the world’s top pro women’s soccer league.

The roster is expected to include a mix of high-level youth academy performers and college standouts who could one day sign with Louisville’s NWSL side. Those interested in playing for Racing’s W League team can fill out this form to be considered.

An all-female technical staff will lead Racing with Kincaid Schmidt serving as head coach, Libby Stout as assistant coach and Kiley Polk as team administrator.

Racing Louisville is operated by the same group, Soccer Holdings, LLC, as two-time USL Championship title winner Louisville City FC. The fast-growing organization hosts senior team games at 15,304 capacity Lynn Family Stadium and plans to play W League competitions at its nearby state-of-the-art practice facility, the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center.

Racing’s home W League games will be open to the public and free to attend.

Bookmark www.racingloufc.com/racingloufc/WLeague to stay updated.

2022 USL W League Clubs

Deep South
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Tennessee Soccer Club (Franklin, Tenn.)
Peachtree City MOBA (Peachtree, Ga,)
South Carolina United Bantams (Columbia, S.C.)
South Georgia Tormenta FC (Statesboro, Ga.)
Southern Soccer Academy (Marietta, Ga.)

Great Lakes
AFC Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Detroit City FC (Detroit, Mich.)
Flint City AFC (Flint, Mich.)
Indy Eleven (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Kalamazoo FC (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Kings Hammer FC (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Midwest United FC (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Racing Louisville FC (Louisville, Ky.)

Heartland
Chicago City SC (Chicago, Ill.)
Chicago Dutch Lions FC (Chicago, Ill.)
Green Bay Glory (Green Bay, Wis.)
Minnesota Aurora FC (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Kaw Valley FC (Lawrence, Kan.)
St. Louis Lions (St. Louis, Mo.)

Metropolitan
AC Connecticut (Newtown, Conn.)
Cedar Stars (Teaneck, N.J.)
FA Euro New York (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Long Island Rough Riders (Long Island, N.Y.)
Manhattan SC (Manhattan, N.Y.)
Morris Elite SC (Morris County, N.J.)
Queensboro FC (Queens, N.Y.)
Westchester Flames (Westchester, N.Y.)

Mid-Atlantic — additional club(s) to be announced
Christos FC (Baltimore, Md.)
Eagle FC (Mechanicsburg, Pa.)
Northern Virginia FC (Leesburg, Va.)
Patuxent Football Athletics (Patuxent, Md.)

South Atlantic
Asheville City SC (Asheville, N.C.)
Charlotte Independence (Charlotte, N.C.)
Greenville Triumph SC (Greenville, S.C.)
North Carolina Courage U23s (Cary, N.C.)
North Carolina Fusion (Greensboro, N.C.) Wake FC (Holly Springs, N.C.)

Southeast
Caledonia SC (Lakeland, Fla.)
Florida Elite Soccer Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Miami AC (Miami, Fla.)
FC Miami City (Miami, Fla.)
Tampa Bay United (Tampa, Fla.)

Racing Louisville FC has signed Jess McDonald to a new two-year contract following a December trade to acquire the veteran forward’s NWSL playing rights, the club announced Friday.

McDonald will officially join Racing after six seasons with the NC Courage organization, which she helped to a trio of league shields from 2017-2019 and NWSL Championship victories in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

“We’re delighted to sign a player that has such a history of winning,” said James O’Connor, Racing’s interim president. “Her success on the field has been huge, but she has such a strong mentality as well. We’re excited to bring in a player of her caliber.”

McDonald ranks first all-time in regular season NWSL assists (27) and fourth in goals (51). Racing marks her seventh club across the league, while her resume also boasts international experience, including a spot on the U.S. Women’s National Team’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad.

The 33-year-old and her son, Jeremiah, recently relocated to Louisville in anticipation of Racing’s start to preseason next week.

“It’s been a smooth transition coming into Louisville,” McDonald said. “Even my kid is excited to be here. As soon as he stepped foot on his campus, the first thing he said was, “This school is so big. I’m gonna make so many friends!” That hit home, and that joy from my boy is all I ask for. “

McDonald — who is making Racing her record seventh NWSL club — first broke into the USWNT in 2018, scoring a game winner against Portugal in her debut for the red, white and blue. The next year, she made the 23-player World Cup roster.

Off the field, McDonald was recently named part of 2022 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Hall of Fame Class, to which she will be inducted in June. She is also the founder of Soccer Resilience, an organization dedicated to helping players, coaches and parents develop the mentality for growth and improvement to reach their full potential.

The Phoenix native wound up with Racing following a series of trades on Dec. 17, the eve of the 2022 NWSL Draft. Louisville sent forward Savannah McCaskill to Angel City FC for the No. 6 pick and $25,000 in allocation money, then exchanged the pick with the Courage for McDonald’s playing rights.

Racing Louisville FC’s academy director, Mario Sanchez, has appointed an all-female staff to lead its USL W League team, the club announced Tuesday.

Kincaid Schmidt will serve as head coach, Libby Stout as assistant coach and Kiley Polk as team administrator with Racing gearing up for the pre-professional women’s soccer circuit’s inaugural season kicking off in May.

With more than 35 teams signed on, the W League has a goal to form the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field, enhancing the player pipeline between college and the pro ranks, where Racing’s first team plays in the NWSL. The W League also strives to use women’s soccer as a force for societal good by creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity and career development.

“This is truly one of the best environments for female soccer players in the country, and I am incredibly proud and excited to be tasked with overseeing this next stage of our development pathway,” Schmidt said. “Working with all ages of our youth academy on a daily basis, I see every day how much this club means to the young girls of the Louisville community. To be able to facilitate their pathway to pro fills me with immense pride.”

Schmidt, a 34-year-old USSF A License holder, is a Florida native who previously served as the Colorado Rapids’ U19 Girls Select head coach as well as the assistant coach for the Rapids’ unbeaten WPSL team in 2020. She has since worked as junior academy director for Racing and Louisville City FC.

Before her coaching career took off, the Florida native Schmidt played from 2004-2007 at IMG Academy before captaining Division II Flagler College in her home state.

Stout, 31, also works as the Racing Academy’s goalkeeper director. The Louisville native previously helped Southern Illinois University launch its women’s soccer program as an assistant coach there from 2018-2021.

The DuPont Manual graduate went on to an All-American playing career at Western Kentucky University before continuing as a pro overseas. Stout’s stops included a stint at England’s Liverpool, where she won a title in 2014 as a teammate of future Racing defender Gemma Bonner.

Polk, 21, is another Louisville native who has worked as a coach in both the academy and with Racing’s first team. She played three seasons at the University of Louisville after attending Sacred Heart Academy, winning a state championship in 2015.

“I am humbled to be given the task of leading an incredible staff of Louisville natives who are true ambassadors for soccer in this city, and I look forward to developing a team that this club and community can be proud of,” Schmidt said.

The addition of a W League team for 2022 completes Racing’s developmental pyramid, beginning with youth academy juniors all the way up to the NWSL’s top-tier professionals. Home games will be hosted at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center, while the roster will be made up of academy standouts and college stars with an eye toward pro careers.

Interested players can fill out this form to be considered. Bookmark www.racingloufc.com/racingloufc/WLeague for updates on the squad.

Racing Louisville FC has agreed to terms with its top overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, securing midfielder Jaelin Howell to a three-year contract, it was announced Friday.

Howell has added to her growing resume in recent weeks on top of going No. 2 overall in the draft. In December, she captained Florida State to a second national title in her four years there. And earlier this month, Howell received her second MAC Hermann Trophy for Division I player of the year.

A native of Lone Tree, Colo., Howell is in training camp with the U.S. Women’s National Team leading up to Racing’s preseason that opens Feb. 1.

“I’m extremely grateful for Racing Louisville drafting me and giving me the opportunity to play for a club with such a promising future,” Howell said. “I’m excited to help the team compete for championships while learning from some of the best players in the world in this league. I hope to make a positive impact on and off the field for our club, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Howell, who made 90 career Florida State appearances, scored 14 goals and tallied just as many assists there, with her honors including back-to-back ACC Midfielder of the Year awards from 2020-2021.

Along the way, Howell gained international attention, too. The youth national team staple has twice been capped by the USWNT, most recently in the 2021 SheBelieves Cup final when she subbed on to play 29 minutes in a win over Argentina.

Howell finished her collegiate career by becoming only the sixth women’s player to win the Hermann Trophy in consecutive years, joining Mia Hamm (1992-1993), Cindy Parlow (1997-1998), Christine Sinclair (2004-2005), Morgan Brian (2013-2014) and Catarina Macario (2018-2019).

“Jaelin is one of the most exciting young talents in the game today,” said Racing’s interim president, James O’Connor. “We’re delighted to bring her on board. She fills a position of need and has an ability to control the game with such a broad range of passing.”

Howell is the first member of Racing’s six-player 2022 draft class to sign a contract. Others selected by the club will similarly vie for roster spots in preseason camp.