Ashley Sanchez

Ashley Nicole Sanchez (born March 16, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national team. She played collegiate soccer for the UCLA Bruins and broke several school records in the three years she played.

Ashley Sanchez
Ashley Sanchez in July 2023
Ashley Sanchez in July 2023
Personal information
Full name Ashley Nicole Sanchez[1]
Date of birth (1999-03-16) March 16, 1999
Place of birth Pasadena, California, United States
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Washington Spirit
Number 10
Youth career
Santa Anita SC
Legends FC
So Cal Blues
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 UCLA Bruins 69 (23)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020– Washington Spirit 57 (12)
International career‡
2013 United States U14
2013–2014 United States U15
2014–2016 United States U17 21 (21)
2014–2018 United States U20 33 (11)
2021– United States 26 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 23, 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of September 21, 2023

In 2016, Sanchez was named U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year. In 2020, she was named the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Future Legend. In 2021, she helped the Spirit win the NWSL Championship.

Early life and education

Born in Pasadena, California in the Los Angeles region to Julie and Ralph Sanchez, Ashley was raised in the nearby city of Monrovia.[3] She is of Mexican descent, with roots in Jalisco.[4]

As a high schooler, Sanchez attended Mountain Park School for three years and Monrovia High School for one year.[2] She played for the varsity team in 2013 and began participating in national team camps the same year.[2] As a senior in 2016, she was named NSCAA Youth Girls All-American Player of the Year.[2] She competed in regional Olympic Development Programs as well.[2]

Sanchez played youth soccer for Santa Anita SC, Legends FC, and So Cal Blues.[5] She was named Cal South Youth Female Player of the Year in 2016 as well as U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year.[2]

College career

Sanchez attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and played for the Bruins from 2017 to 2019.[2] She committed to UCLA in eighth grade, having also considered Los Angeles rival University of Southern California.[3]

As a freshman in 2017, Sanchez's 12 assists set a new all-time record for Bruin freshmen that ranked fourth all-time in a single-season.[2] The 24 points she notched (six goals, including 3 game-winners, and 12 assists) ranked third on the team.[2] During the Bruins’ eight-game win streak, she notched a goal or assist in each consecutive game elevating UCLA to be ranked sixth in the nation.[6] Sanchez earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week, Top Drawer Soccer National Player of the Week honors and was named to Pac-12 All-Freshman, First-team All-West Region, and All-Pac-12 teams.[2] During the 2017 NCAA College Cup, her four assists (tied for third-most in UCLA record books)[6] helped lead the team to the Championship where they were eliminated by Stanford Cardinal 3–2.[7]

External video
video icon Ashley Sanchez UCLA Highlights retrieved June 1, 2023

During the 2018 season, Sanchez led the Bruins in goals (10), assists (15), and points (35). Her assists ranked second nationwide.[2] She set new school records to single-game assists, consecutive games with a goal or assist, assists at the NCAA College Cup, and career NCAA Tournament assists.[2] She also tied the previous school record for assists in a single season.[2] Sanchez was named a Hermann Trophy semifinalist,[8] first-team All-American by United Soccer Coaches, and earned first-team All-West Region and All-Pac-12 honors for the second time.[2]

In what ended up being her final season with the Bruins in 2019 (before turning professional), Sanchez tied her own season record for assists with 15.[2] Her seven goals and 29 points ranked second on the team. She was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week as well as Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week, and earned first-team All-Pac-12 and second-team All-Pacific Region honors.[2] Her 42 career assists broke UCLA's record despite her only playing three seasons.[9]

Club career

Sanchez was drafted by the Washington Spirit in January 2020.[10][11] She made her professional debut for the Spirit during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. At age 21, she was the youngest player on the squad.[12] She was a starter in four of the team's five matches and created the highest number of chances and key passes, with 8 and 7 respectively.[12] Her performance earned her the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Future Legend Award.[13] During the NWSL Fall Series (a modified season due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Sanchez was a starter in all four of the team's matches.[14] The Spirit finished in third place with a 2–1–1 record.[15]

External video
video icon NWSL Challenge Cup Future Legend: Ashley Sanchez, Washington Spirit retrieved June 1, 2023

During the 2021 season, Sanchez played a total of 25 games (starting in 24) and recorded 5 goals, displaying her versatility as an attacking player.[16] Her vision and ability to create scoring opportunities were evident throughout the season, as she helped the Spirit push for a playoff spot.[17][18] The Spirit finished the regular season in third place with a 11–7–6 record advancing to the NWSL Playoffs[14] where they defeated the North Carolina Courage 1-0 in extra time.[19] Sanchez scored the game-winning goal in the team's second playoff match against OL Reign to advance to the championship final.[20] The Spirit went on to beat the Chicago Red Stars 2-1 in extra time to clinch their first championship title.[21]

An offensive force, Sanchez led the Spirit in assists as well as shots and shots on goal during the 2022 season.[22] In her 19 appearances (16 starts), she also scored three goals.[22] Her first goal of the season was a "stunning" strike that opened the door to a 2-1 win over OL Reign in Seattle.[23]

International career
External video
video icon The Journey: Ashley Sanchez (U.S. Soccer Federation) retrieved June 1, 2023

Sanchez has represented the United States on the under-14, under-15, under-17, under-20, under-23, and senior national teams.[5] She captained the United States at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and played at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup[24] as well as the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[25] In 2016, Sanchez became the first player in United States history to play in multiple World Cups in the same year.[2]

Senior national team, 2021–

Sanchez received her first call-up to the senior national team in March 2016 at the age of 17.[26] She earned her first cap on November 30, 2021, at the age of 22.[22] In 2022, she scored three goals and notched three assists in the 731 minutes she played.[22] She scored her first goal for the senior national team during a friendly match against Uzbekistan on April 9, 2022, followed by a second goal at their next match on April 12. These were two of four goals that she scored over a two-week stretch in four consecutive matches (the other two were with the Spirit in the 2022 Challenge Cup).[27]

Sanchez with the U.S. national team and Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff, July 2023
Sanchez with the U.S. national team and Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff, July 2023

2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

In June 2023, Sanchez was named to the U.S. squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.[28]

Personal life

Sanchez has two older siblings named Evan and Sierra. Her grandfather, John Shirk, played football for the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans.[2]

Endorsements

Sanchez has an endorsement deal with Adidas.[29] In 2022, she was featured in a commercial for Taco Bell. The campaign ran until the final day of the men's 2022 FIFA World Cup on a variety of platforms and channels.[30]

Career statistics

International
As of match played September 21, 2023[31]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States 202120
2022153
202390
Total263
Scores and results list United States's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sanchez goal.
List of international goals scored by Ashley Sanchez
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 April 9, 2022 Columbus, Ohio, US  Uzbekistan 9–1 9–1 Friendly [32]
2 April 12, 2022 Chester, Pennsylvania, US  Uzbekistan 9–0 9–0 Friendly [33]
3 July 14, 2022 San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico  Costa Rica 3–0 3–0 2022 CONCACAF W Championship [34]

Honors

Individual

Washington Spirit

United States

References
  1. "FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup France 2018 – List of Players: USA U20 (women)" (PDF). FIFA. July 26, 2018. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 26, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  2. "Profile". UCLA Bruins. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  3. "Ashley Sanchez has found her freedom on the soccer field and UCLA is all the better for it". Los Angeles Times. November 2, 2018.
  4. "Ashley Sanchez seeks place on U.S. women's soccer team". Our Esquina. February 15, 2022.
  5. "Profile". United States Soccer Federation. Archived from the original on January 14, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  6. "Ashley Sanchez has found her freedom on the soccer field and UCLA is all the better for it". Los Angeles Times. November 1, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  7. "Stanford wins national title with 3-2 victory over UCLA". NCAA. December 3, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  8. "MAC Hermann Trophy 2018 Semifinalists unveiled (Women's)". SoccerWire. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  9. "Smith, Sanchez declare for NWSL Draft". Top Drawer Soccer. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  10. Cavalier, Mason (January 16, 2020). "Washington Spirit select Ashley Sanchez fourth overall in 2020 NWSL Draft".
  11. "Spirit trade national team F Mallory Pugh". NBC Sports Washington. January 16, 2020.
  12. "Ashley Sanchez Wins 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Future Legend Award". Washington Spirit. July 25, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  13. "NWSL Challenge Cup awards list: Houston Dash's Rachel Daly wins tournament MVP". CBS Sports. July 26, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  14. "Ashley Sanchez". Soccerway. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  15. "NWSL Fall Series". Soccerway. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  16. "Ashley Sanchez". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  17. "Ashley Sanchez wonder goal gives Washington Spirit 2-1 win over Orlando Pride". SB Nation. August 22, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  18. "'I wouldn't want to be on any other team': Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez lead focused Washington Spirit squad amidst front-office drama". The Athletic. November 6, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  19. "Washington Spirit eliminate North Carolina Courage in NWSL playoffs". The Athletic. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  20. "Spirit head to NWSL championship with 2-1 win over Reign". WTOP. November 14, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  21. "Washington Spirit wins NWSL Championship over Chicago Red Stars in extra-time thriller". ESPN. November 20, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  22. "Ashley Sanchez". Washington Spirit. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  23. Brennan, Clare (May 1, 2022). "Ashley Sanchez scores stunner in Spirit win over OL Reign". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  24. "USA ROSTER NAMED FOR 2018 FIFA U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP". US Soccer. July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  25. "Heath, Sanchez named 2016 U.S. Soccer Female and Young Female player of the year". United States Soccer Federation. December 13, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  26. "Monrovia teen Ashley Sanchez gets USWNT call up". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. March 22, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  27. Goff, Steven (April 30, 2022). "Spirit star Ashley Sanchez continues rapid ascent as NWSL season begins". Washington Post. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  28. "Morgan and Rapinoe named in USA World Cup squad". BBC Sport.
  29. "Imagining A More Equitable And Inclusive Future: Adidas Announces Sweeping Network For Student-athletes". adidas. March 23, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  30. Karlovitch, Sara (November 29, 2022). "Taco Bell embraces soccer, Latin culture in new ad". Marketing Dive. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  31. "Ashley Sanchez – USWNT". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  32. "U.S. Women's National Team Defeats Uzbekistan 9–1 as Forward Sophia Smith Records First Career Hat Trick". U.S. Soccer. April 9, 2022.
  33. "U.S. Women's National Team Defeats Uzbekistan 9–0 as Catarina Macario and Rose Lavelle Score Twice Each". U.S. Soccer. April 12, 2022.
  34. "U.S. Women's National Team Advances to CONCACAF W Championship Final With 3–0 Win Against Costa Rica". U.S. Soccer. July 14, 2022.
  35. "Monrovia's Ashley Sanchez named U.S. Soccer's young female player of the year". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. December 14, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  36. "NWSL Challenge Cup Future Legend: Ashley Sanchez, Washington Spirit". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  37. "Washington Spirit defeats Chicago Red Stars to win first National Women's Soccer League title". Washington Post. November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  38. Das, Andrew (July 19, 2022). "U.S. Women Beat Canada to Claim Spot in Paris Olympics". The New York Times.
  39. "U.S. Women's National Team Defeats Iceland 5–0 To Win Third Consecutive And Fifth Overall SheBelieves Cup Title, Presented By Visa". www.ussoccer.com.
  40. Herrera, Sandra (February 22, 2023). "USWNT vs. Brazil score: USA win SheBelieves Cup with Alex Morgan and Mallory Swanson dominating in attack". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
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