Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #326: Savannah DeMelo joins the pod

Episode Date: October 18, 2022

The Racing Louisville midfielder spoke with Sanjay Sujanthakumar in Spain last week. She didn't start playing soccer until she was 8! The southern California native and USC alum scored 4 goals and got 2 assists for Louisville in her rookie season, and received her first senior USWNT call-ups in September and October.----Scuffed is an ad-free podcast. Please support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus any bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show, plus all patrons get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedAlso, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.comAnd check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedhq.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the SCUF podcast, where we talk about U.S. soccer. Hello, everyone, and welcome to a special edition of the SCUF podcast. I'm Sanjay, and I'm joined here in Spain by U.S. Women's National Team midfielder, Savannah de Mello. Savannah, thanks for joining us today. No, thanks for having me. Happy to be here. First off, in light of everything that's happened after the Yates report was released,

how are you doing, how is the team doing, and how are your Louisville teammates doing? Yeah, I mean, I think it's just been a hard week overall when something this day comes out about something that happens to your teammates and friends. It's obviously going to be hard, but I think we've all come together and kind of just been leading on each other and been helping each other out. So I think it's been really difficult, but I'm glad we have each other to kind of get through it. So your first season with Louisville is in the books. Can you reflect on how that went, your initial expectations for yourself and the team? versus the reality about one. Yeah, I mean, I think a rookie season is just hard environment to come into.

The NWSL is a great league. And I think coming from USC in the college environment, it's just super different. The speed of play is a lot faster. The girls are a lot stronger. In college, you're playing girls that are about, like, 18 to 22. But in the NWSA, you're playing girls that are as old is, like, 38. It's super experienced. But I think it's been challenging, but it's made me grow as a play.

and as a person. So super exciting year. I think us being such a young team, we have a lot to learn, but I do think we had a pretty good season. Lots of ups and downs, but I think we ended on a good note. So you lived in SoCal, like your whole life, right? How was the

adjustment to life in Louisville? I get this question a lot. Yeah, so I grew up in Long Beach, went to USC obviously, so Southern California girl, but I really like Louisville. I think the community's great. It's definitely different, but, But I kind of take it as it is, and I'm there to play soccer.

But I think the community is great, the team's great. We have a lot of fun. But yeah, definitely miss the beach. I think that's the hardest part. But it is cool to experience something new in a new city. So yeah, tell us about your life growing up. Your family and how you got into soccer. It seems like your dad was a big influence.

But it gives the full picture. Yeah, so I actually was a gymnast first. I know a lot of girls and players start playing at the age of four. But I started playing when I was eight years old because I was a gymnast for a long time. But yeah, got into soccer, and then I kind of just had my dad, who was my coach my whole life, and it was really nice because he taught me that soccer is a lifestyle. And I think I grew up knowing that soccer was just not something you went to practice on Monday and Wednesday and then played on Saturday, and that's it.

Like, I watched soccer. I was training extra with my dad, training extra on my own. So it's just something I've always loved, and I think my dad being from Portugal kind of instilled the soccer lifestyle. it to me, which I will, like, always be super grateful for him. When did you realize becoming a pro was a real possibility? Was there a specific game or tournament or conversation you had with someone? When did it really hit you? Like, this could happen?

I think once I was a freshman in high school, I started getting, like, recruitment letters to go, like, tour colleges. And I remember my dad sat me down and was with my mom and my two sisters. And they were like, he was like, well, this is something like you can do pass the club level. You can go to college, get college paid for, and eventually, like, do this to get paid. Like, is this something you really want to do? And I was like, oh, yeah, for sure. And he's like, yeah, but it's going to take, like, a lot of work. Like, high school is going to be a lot different than how other people do high school. And, like, are you ready to kind of sacrifice

basically everything for, like, a soccer career? And I was like, absolutely, I wouldn't want anything else. So I kind of went down that path and super happy I did. And I mean, I wouldn't want to be doing anything else right now. But, yeah, definitely was that talk. It was a around like my freshman year of high school. Just fast-forwarding a bit this season. When did you start to think a call-up could come that you deserved it? And what was the communication like with Black owner staff earlier in the season? Yeah, so I actually was in the youth programs for, like, I went to 2 U-20 World Cups,

and then I went to a U-23 camp, and I had a pretty good camp with BJ Snow. And I think that's when Jill Ellis was still the head coach. And I was going to get a call-up, but I unfortunately, on my Achilles in 2019. So fast forward a couple years. I just had a really good, I think, last season of college. And I think Lacko said he had been watching me in college for a little bit, but wanted to see how I adjusted to the pro level,

because I think that's what determines how, if you're going to grow or not as a player. And I think I just got into the pro career pretty well, adjusted well, started playing a lot of minutes, scoring goals. playing my game. And I think Flacko had told me in one of the Kansas games that, like, he's been watching me and that they're looking at me and just to keep doing my thing. So I think just being patient and playing my game really helped me.

And then, yeah, he called me one day. One player couldn't make it to camp. So he's like, I would love for you to come in and just get used to the environment. So it took that opportunity and now I'm still here. So just super grateful and trying to learn as much as I can. Yeah, well, what was your reaction? Like, what did you do when you have to do? you got the call.

Did you talk to you right away? It was, I was at, yeah, just played a game. So I was at, like, the facility. And my trainer came up to me. She was like, oh, we got to go, like, treat you now because you're going to get called up. And I was like, called up to where? Like, where am I going? She goes to camp.

And I was like, what? So very, like, excited. I just was like, oh, my God, I can't believe it's, like, actually happening because you, like, dream about this, like, your whole life. And I was like, oh, it's just happening now. So I'm super excited. I called my parents. was like the first people I called and I called my sister.

But yeah, I was like in Louisville at like 12 p.m. on Sunday and then I was already in Kansas with the team like four hours, five hours later. So huge adjustment, but it was just taking it for what it was. And I have great like friends on this team. So they really helped me kind of feel comfortable and get adjusted to the team. Yeah, what was that first camp like? What's that balance like between trying to learn what Laco wants and just fit in, but also make a strong and impression when it's really competitive for officers, lots, and minutes in midfield? Yeah, I think the midfield here is, like, probably, like, one of the best, it is probably the best midfield, one of the best midfields in the world.

I mean, I'm looking up to players like Rosalvel and, like, Lindsay Horan, Andy Sullivan. It's just players that I've always watched, like, even in the high school level, college level. So it's just awesome being able to be in such a competitive and great environment, and I'm trying and learn as much as I can, but also trying to just showcase myself and use what Gladco's told me are my strengths and just kind of work on those and show those in training and whenever I get chances to play. Yeah, how do you feel your game translates to Blackco system?

Yeah, I mean, I think I'm just a midfielder that likes to go forward. We're a very transitional team, and I think we're the best transitional team in the world. So I think once they get the ball, I like to dribble forward, and I think Blakco really liked that about me and just my wanting to go attack once we get the ball. And I think my defensive game has also gone a lot better since USC. And I think he really likes that for an attacking that I'm able to win balls in the middle and then like penetrate forward after. So you've gotten reps in a double pivot with Louis, but usually as a more offensive player of the pair. Could you potentially see yourself as playing as a lone six for the national team? I mean,

I think I could. I think wherever, like, they need me, I'll play. I mean, it's the national team. Even in club and my Louisville team, wherever they need me, I'll play. And I just think it makes me a more versatile player. But I could see myself playing the six, but I also have a love for the 10 and for, like, the attacking part of the game and dribbling and making those final balls, the final balls.

So wherever they need me, I'll be happy to play. Awesome. How long have you known Jalen Howell? Did you know her before y'all get drafted together? And what's it like to play with her now but also kind of compete for a spot on the national theme? So I've known Jay since we were on our 20s, like our last 20s together. I was more the older player. She's the younger player. But got super close with her through that.

And then we just always played against each other in college. And she's the sixth and I'm the 10. So we always are going against each other. but we honestly bring out the best in each other and she's one of my favorite players to play with. She kind of knows what I like to do. I know what she likes to do and I just think we compliment each other really well.

Yeah, and then obviously when I got drafted, she was the first person I text because I knew we were going to the same team. Super excited. We're roommates. We lived together for a really long time in Louisville. But yeah, I just think she's a great player, great person to be experiencing this all with. And I think once we're here, it's very, it's different.

Obviously, I don't see that I'm like a competing against a swap for her. We play very different positions, I think, and I'm just super pumped that we have another racing player here, like representing our club and I think she's been playing really well. So I think she also deserves to be here just as much as me. How much do you miss SC and do you still have time to follow the team? Oh, yeah. S.E. has a really special place in my heart. It's a little different now that Kadani and Jason aren't there anymore.

They're in Georgia, but I still have a lot of people I, like, played with that are on that team. But I'm always keeping up. I just saw they won yesterday. I don't know, like, because we're in Spain, time, but they played yesterday. And it was their senior day, and I saw they won two to one. See Kroy's killing it, scoring a bunch of goals like she always does. So happy for her, happy for all the seniors. And, yeah, hopefully once I'm back in November, I'll be able to.

to go see the ECLA game or something. Awesome. So tell us a bit more about how you dealt with that torn Achilles mentally. Like what was that rehab process like? And what was the impact of the pandemic like on the timeline for you? Yeah. Taring my Achilles at the time seemed like the worst thing that ever could have possibly, like, happened to me.

But looking back, I think I really needed a reset just because of how much, how much of a load I was putting onto my body and how, how mentally it was just a lot for me. So I think after I told my Achilles, I know I just needed a reset and kind of to be away from soccer for a little bit, but it just made me hungrier for when I came back. I learned a lot, even just not playing. I helped Jason and Kadani do like scouts before every game. So that kind of helped me watch the game and analyze the opponent and all that.

But I think it made me stronger mentally too, because the thing I love the most, was taken away for me. So I just never wanted to take it for granted again. And I think I kind of was before my injury. I was kind of like, oh, like just seemed like it was like a never-ending thing. And then once it was taken away for me, I was like, man, like I'll never take the sport for granted again. But the pandemic kind of helped me in a way because I wasn't really ready for that season

in 2020 of August. So once it got delayed, it gave me more time to get fit, get more comfortable on the ball, get more confident and kind of feel like the player I would. was before I got injured because that's the thing that took a while was like just getting the confidence back that I had before my injury. Awesome. So some of your national team teammates were your opponents in the Pact 12. What are your thoughts on SC and UCLA leading the conference? Have you talked to them about that? Yeah, I mean, I think the Pact 12 is just a great conference. Great competition with Stanford, UCLA, Cal, those types of teams. But I do think,

it's going to be even more challenging going into the Big Ten. Is that where they're going? Yeah. Going to the Big Ten, because I think it's just a different style of play. I think it's more physical. Teams are more transitional. I think in the Pact 12, it's more possession-based play. But I think going to the Big Ten will be a different challenge

and having to deal with flying there, getting used to time change. So I think it's going to be a challenge, but I don't really know why it's all happening. I think it's more for the football stuff. That part, I don't know. But for the soccer, I think it's just going to be a great challenge for the girls to kind of have to get through. So you signed an extension with the world recently. What led to that decision? And would you like to play in Europe in the future have you thought about that?

Yeah, so I'm just, I resigned my contract just because I love the community. love the girls on my team and I just think it's a place where I can grow. I don't think it's very often that rookies like me and Jalen get to play as much as we have been. So just super excited and blessed that I've been granted to the opportunity.

But yeah, I think playing in Europe would be very fun. It is something I want to do in the future. And I just think it would be a great challenge for me to kind of overcome the uncomfortableness of being in a new country and playing with new girls. So it would be awesome. Looking ahead, what are your goals

for clubbing country in the next year, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. Yeah, I mean, it would be great to obviously make that roster in any role I can, but I'm just looking at to keep getting called in camp by camp and just keep learning as much as I can. And then having another, like, season, good season with racing, keep growing my game, keep learning, and hopefully progress from what we have done last year, last season. And one last listener question here. What goes into your free kick approach? Are there some things you focus on specifically, or are you just born with this stuff?

I definitely have been practicing it my whole life. Like every time after practice, me and Amina, a girl on our team, like we're practicing the free kicks. But I definitely, when I'm about to take it, I just kind of take a deep breath. I look to see where the goalkeeper's at and then kind of just place it hard into a corner, in that far corner that I really like. But yeah, I just think it's something I've practiced a lot, and it's just something that's kind of in my toolkit that I can use whenever. Okay, anything else you think we could have touched on

or anything you want the fans to know about your playing background or time right now with the national team? No, I think that's it. My dad was played in Portugal. I was pretty, or like what was from Portugal. So like I said, I think that just brought like a year, kind of soccer lifestyle into like an American girls soccer like lifestyle and I think that's just like super important and yeah that's really it did you grow up uh sporting Portugal yeah national team okay my dad my well I love the Portuguese national team like love Ronaldo but my dad was actually at

the sporting fan okay like sporting um yeah yeah so he's like a big fan of that and a man you fan so I like I have rinaldo's like first jersey and I was like I don't even know how old. Yeah. Awesome. Okay. Thank you so much for your time, Nevada. Okay, thank you.