NWSL · NWSL · Est. 2019 · Lynn Family Stadium
Updated March 16, 2026
Racing Louisville stunned the league with a semifinal run in 2025, and the front office has doubled down by re-signing every key contributor. Head coach Bev Yanez has built a defensively stout side that conceded just 28 goals last season—third-best in the league. The addition of USWNT defender Emily Fox gives them even more solidity at the back.
The 25-year-old midfielder earned her first USWNT call-up in 2025 after a season in which she led Racing Louisville in assists and completed passes in the final third. DeMelo's ability to control the game's tempo is rare in the NWSL, and her partnership with Jaelin Howell in the double pivot has become one of the most effective midfield combinations in the league. If she takes another step forward, Racing could be a dark horse for the Shield.