Emma Hayes has called forward Ashley Sanchez back into the U.S. women’s national team for the first time since January 2025.
The 27-year-old North Carolina Courage forward is having one of the best individual seasons in the history of the National Women’s Soccer League. Sanchez has scored 20 goals in 26 matches this season, which equals the single-season goal record set by Temwa Chawinga in 2024.
Sanchez had already become the highest-scoring American player in a single NWSL season when she hit 16 goals, surpassing Alex Morgan (2022) and Crystal Dunn (2015), who both had 15.
The return of Sanchez comes as the USWNT prepares to face off against Spain in two home friendlies on 10 October and 13 October. Should she feature, it would mark almost exactly two years since her last appearance for the USWNT. The last of Sanchez’s 28 caps came under Hayes on 30 October 2024 against Argentina.
This will be a meeting between the top two ranked teams in the world. Spain are currently ranked number one, with the Americans in second. The USA is unbeaten when they have featured in matches involving the top two ranked teams in the world (W11-D6-L0).
USA’s full squad:
Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 11), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC; 0), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 7)
Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 70/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 78/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 54/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 14/1), Lilly Reale (Boston Legacy FC; 9/0), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit; 12/0), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 11/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 7/1)
Midfielders: Sam Coffey (Manchester City FC, ENG; 46/5), Lindsey Heaps (Denver Summit FC; 178/40), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 20/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 122/29), Evelyn Shores (Angel City FC; 0/0), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Stars; 103/38), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 20/1)
Forwards: Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave FC; 0/0), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 14/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 57/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 21/6), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage; 28/3), Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 32/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 63/25)