Ashley Sanchez breaks American NWSL scoring record and targets USWNT return after stunning 19-goal campaign
North Carolina Courage forward Ashley Sanchez has produced one of the most remarkable individual campaigns in National Women's Soccer League history, breaking multiple scoring records while mounting a compelling case for a recall to Emma Hayes’ United States women’s national team.
The 27-year-old has netted 19 goals this season, setting new benchmarks for the most NWSL goals scored in a single season by an American player and the highest single-season tally in Courage history. Her haul surpassed previous American records held by Crystal Dunn (15 goals in 2015) and Alex Morgan (15 goals in 2022), placing her on the brink of matching Temwa Chawinga’s all-time NWSL record of 20 goals.
Overcoming Adversity to Find Career-Best Form
Sanchez's explosive season represents a dramatic turnaround after a turbulent couple of years. Although named to the USWNT squad for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, she did not see a single minute of action. Five months later, she was unexpectedly traded by the Washington Spirit to North Carolina after four years with the club.
Reflecting on that difficult period, Sanchez said: "I feel like I’m past that point. But when I look back at this season I’m like, 'I guess I had to go through some tough times to get here.' I always felt like there was a reason that I had to go through them – maybe that was character-building, or not taking things for granted."
She added: "When I look back now, I’m really happy those things happened because I have perspective now. But definitely at the time, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.' I was very patient and I controlled what I could, and that was my effort."
Positional Switch Unlocks Scoring Touch
Before this season, Sanchez had never scored more than five goals in a single professional campaign. Her transformation came following a switch from central attacking midfield to the left wing under first-year Courage head coach Mak Lind, who boldly predicted in preseason that she would hit the 20-goal mark.
“I was laughing,” Sanchez recalled. “He was like, 'I don’t know why you’re laughing. I’m being serious.' There’s a reason that there are these records that nobody’s touched. It was my first time professionally playing on the wing. So I was like, 'Hopefully I’ll score a lot of goals, but I don’t know if I’m going to hit 20.'”
The positional adjustment has maximized her spatial awareness and 1v1 dribbling skills. "My coaches have helped me with a lot of little things that really helped me improve: my timing, what to look for, making runs in behind defenders," Sanchez explained. "As soon as I’m dribbling, it’s just pretty natural for me... as soon as I see them bite is when I’m like, 'Now I can go.'"
Eyes on the USWNT Door
With Sanchez almost tying Chawinga's record against NJ/NY Gotham FC—only for a 20th goal to be chalked off by VAR after teammate Gianna Paul was ruled offside in the buildup—attention has inevitably turned to whether she will earn an international recall ahead of upcoming friendlies.
Sanchez has not featured for the national team since October 2024, but her stellar form presents USWNT head coach Emma Hayes with an enticing option. While she confirmed she has not yet spoken directly to Hayes, Sanchez is content letting her performances speak for themselves.
“The only thing I can do is just make it as hard as I possibly can for [Hayes] to make her decisions, and put myself in the best position to get called in or play in these games,” Sanchez stated. “For me to be able to get called back in – I think a lot of people, and maybe even myself, kind of counted me out. I think it would just be a testament to going through a little bit of a tough time and still being able to find your way back.”