What Happened to Ashley Sanchez’ Spot on the USWNT?
Ashley Sanchez was seen as the future of the USWNT early on in her career, but she seems to have fallen out of favor with the national team. Her last appearance on the international stage was in July of 2023. Let’s dive into why the star hasn’t gotten a call-up lately.
Early Career
Before Sanchez began her career at UCLA, she played club soccer with the SoCal Blues. At UCLA, she spent three seasons before deciding to forgo the rest of her collegiate eligibility and enter the NWSL Draft. She appeared in 69 games for the Bruins, tallying 23 goals and 42 assists, the most in school history.
The forward was the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft by the Washington Spirit. She spent four seasons with the Washington Spirit, but due to COVID-19, her rookie season consisted of the Challenge Cup and Fall Series. Through her three regular seasons in DC, she appeared in 64 games, scored 13 goals, and tallied six assists. She also had a 73% passing accuracy through those three seasons.
USWNT Duty and Road Ahead
Ashley Sanchez was included in the roster for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but she never made an appearance in the tournament, a rather shocking decision by former head coach Vlatko Andonovski. The USWNT struggled to find an offensive rhythm, and they could’ve used Sanchez’s technical ability to break through.
Breaking into the USWNT is difficult, especially in the attack, but Sanchez deserves another look. At just 25 years old, she could still have a long career with the National Team if she gets another chance.
In a shocking trade, the North Carolina Courage acquired Sanchez ahead of the 2024 season. While the trade came as a shock to Sanchez, it appears to be working out for the best. She’s been playing terrific through the first six games. She’s got one goal and three assists with an 80% passing accuracy.
It’s hard to deny the impact that Sanchez has had on the Courage to begin the 2024 season. She’s been arguably one of the best players for the Courage, and she’s finding her groove, which could lead her back to the USWNT. With Emma Hayes coming in as the new head coach, we would have to think that she has to give Sanchez another look. The young player is a playmaker, and she can make stuff happen in the attack, which is something the team desperately needs with the Olympics right around the corner.
Featured image via @ashley.sanchez on Instagram
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