Photo courtesy of NWSL via Racing Louisville
In Louisville on Saturday, Racing midfielder Savannah DeMelo played in a National Women’s Soccer League match for the first time since September 14, 2025. DeMelo’s year-long absence followed her going into cardiac arrest during a game in Seattle and being taken to a local hospital, where an “undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia” was discovered.
She subbed in for Louisville in the first minute of stoppage time when her team led the Utah Royals 1-0, but the visitors equalized five minutes later. The U.S. midfielder admitted after the game that she was nervous coming in, but excitement was the overriding emotion after the final whistle.
“I’ve really been anticipating this moment, and I was just really excited to be able to do it here [in Louisville],” DeMelo said. “Obviously, wish we could have pulled out the three points, but I think that was the best the team has looked in a while, and I think we should be proud of that performance. But it definitely was a surreal moment being able to step back onto the pitch because there were some times I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do that again.”
DeMelo’s joy for her long-awaited return was evident in the beaming smile on her face as she jogged onto the pitch to the standing ovation of her home fans.
“Just to see that support and just to know that the people, even though it’s been a year, still support me and still are excited to see me really means a lot and gives me a lot of confidence,” DeMelo said.
Racing head coach Bev Yanez, like DeMelo, was disappointed with conceding a last-minute equalizer, but said that DeMelo’s return was bigger than football.
“Sav’s return tonight was something so special. To be here on the sideline when she entered, the amount of chills and tears that came to my eyes … we’re all just so happy for her,” Yanez said. “What a joyous moment for her to come back on the pitch, for the crowd to get that loud — I know it’s something she’ll remember forever.”
