Women's World Cup 2023: Racing Louisville FC star midfielder Savannah DeMelo makes US roster
Racing Louisville FC midfielder Savannah DeMelo has officially been named to the U.S. Women's National Team roster that will compete in the 2023 Women's World Cup.
The national team roster was announced Wednesday morning. DeMelo will join the defending World Cup champions and No. 1-ranked international team when games begin July 21. This year's World Cup will be played in Australia and New Zealand.
“This has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl," DeMelo said in a press release. "I have so many people to thank, but I’ll start with my family, friends, team and staff. This wouldn’t be possible without any of you, and I am just beyond grateful for this opportunity. Let's go USA!”
The USWNT is in a period of transition under coach Vlatko Andonovski. Captain and defender Becky Sauerbrunn will miss the tournament with a foot injury, and many of the stars from prior World Cup squads have retired or are no longer expected to play the same significant roles. But new stars like 2022 NWSL Rookie of the Year Trinity Rodman, daughter of Dennis Rodman, and reigning NWSL MVP Sophia Smith will be making their first World Cup appearances.
Starting 5: NWSL names Racing Louisville FC star Savannah DeMelo Player of the Month
DeMelo has been one of Racing's biggest stars this season. The 25-year-old has scored a team-high eight goals (five in league play) and recorded three assists. She was recently named the National Women's Soccer League Player of the Month after she played a part in six goals — three goals, a converted penalty kick and two assists — in May to help the club go 4-2.
"I'm super excited to get to play with Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, all those players I've idolized growing up," DeMelo said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "I'm just gonna try to take in as much as I can and learn from them. They're players that are not only great athletes on the field but off the field."
DeMelo has World Cup experience after playing for the 2016 and 2018 U-20 teams, scoring four goals in the 2018 tournament. Last fall, she was called up to the senior national team twice but did not play.
But she's just the third player to make a U.S. World Cup roster without earning a senior team cap.
The California native was selected by Racing Louisville with the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft. As a rookie, the former University of Southern California player started in all 22 games, logging four goals and two assists for Racing, and was named the Rookie of the Month in July 2022.
The USWNT's first match of group play is against Vietnam at 9 p.m. EDT July 21. The squad will then play the Netherlands at 9 p.m. EDT July 26 before taking on Portugal at 3 a.m. Aug. 1. All three games are set to be broadcast on FOX and streamed on Peacock.
The knockout rounds begin Aug. 5, with the semifinals scheduled for Aug. 15-16 and the championship match Aug. 20.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Women's World Cup 2023: Team USA roster announced with Savannah DeMelo
