Ashley Sanchez: A Star on the Rise in Women’s Soccer
Gifted, talented, smooth, skilled, and playmaker are just a few words that describe 23-year-old soccer star, Ashley Sanchez. Sanchez plays forward for NWSL Washington Spirit and the USWNT. Sanchez showed flashes of brilliance at a young age, so much so that she committed to UCLA in eighth grade. But, one thing is for sure, Sanchez has only just begun to show her immense potential.
The College Years
In 2017, Sanchez started her collegiate career with UCLA and earned first-team All-West Region and All-Pac-12 honors. Sanchez set the Bruins freshman record with 12 assists and scored three game-winning goals in her first NCAA season.
During her sophomore year, Sanchez built upon her successful freshman campaign. Sanchez earned first-team All-West Region and All-Pac-12 honors for the second consecutive year and was named first-team United Soccer Coaches All-American. Statistically, Sanchez led UCLA in all scoring categories with ten goals, 15 assists, and 35 points while setting numerous school records.
In 2019, Sanchez started 23 games, scored seven goals, and made 15 assists. Sanchez set a team record with 42 assists in three seasons and tied her single-season record with 15 assists. In addition, Sanchez earned second-team All-Pacific Region and first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
Professional Career
After her junior season at UCLA, Sanchez entered the 2020 NWSL draft, and the Washington Spirit selected her No. 4 overall. Sanchez played all nine matches with eight starts during the COVID-shortened season as a rookie. Sanchez earned the Young Player of the Year award by the Spirit and the league’s 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Future Legend Award in recognition of her efforts. In 2021, Sanchez helped the Washington Spirit win the 2021 NWSL title, starting 24 of 25 games and scoring five goals.
International Play
Sanchez has competed at the youth international under-14, under-15, under-17, under-20, and under-23 levels.
In 2016, Sanchez made U.S. Soccer history as the only player to represent the U.S. women’s national teams at the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups in the same year. Not only was Sanchez the U-17 World Cup captain and the youngest player on the U-20 World Cup team, but she also scored in both tournaments.
At the 2016 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championships, Sanchez won the Golden Ball as the best player in the tournament. Additionally, Sanchez earned the 2016 NSCAA Youth Girls All-American Player of the Year and 2016 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year.
Sanchez was a member of the 2018 United States FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. In 2021, Sanchez recorded her first senior team cap. Since her senior call-up, Sanchez had seven appearances with the USWNT, recording two assists.
Sanchez is motivated to take her game higher every time she steps onto the pitch, “I think it’s important to make everything I can of myself, to be able to make these rosters, have my name out there, and raise more awareness of Latinos in sports.” Essentially, the best word to describe Ashley Sanchez is “motivated.”
Featured image via Getty Images
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