A Record-Breaking Run
Ashley Sanchez is officially in her prime. The North Carolina Courage star has been on a tear this season, netting 19 goals and cementing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the NWSL. She is currently chasing the league's single-season scoring record—the 20-goal mark set by Temwa Chawinga in 2024. During a recent match against Gotham, Sanchez thought she had hit that 20th goal, but a VAR offside call snatched it away. It’s giving heartbreak, but Sanchez is locked in for the rest of the season.
The Comeback Story
It hasn't been an easy road. Sanchez spent the entire 2023 World Cup on the bench and was traded to North Carolina after four years with the Washington Spirit without warning. Reflecting on the chaos, Sanchez keeps it real: “I guess I had to go through some tough times to get here.” She attributes her current success to a new position on the left wing and the stability provided by first-year coach Mak Lind. Lind actually predicted this 20-goal breakout back in the preseason, a claim Sanchez initially laughed off as "insane."
Why It Matters
With two NWSL records already broken—most goals in a season by an American and most goals by a Courage player in a single year—Sanchez has forced herself back into the national conversation. Everyone is asking: will she get the call-up for the USWNT’s upcoming friendlies against Spain? Sanchez isn't stressing the politics. She's focused on making it impossible for coach Emma Hayes to ignore her performance. She’s turned her doubters into believers, and honestly? We love to see it.
