Ashley Sanchez

Club career

Washington Spirit (2020–2023) Sanchez was drafted by the Washington Spirit in January 2020. 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. 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. 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. The Spirit finished in third place with a record.

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. Her vision and ability to create scoring opportunities were evident throughout the season, as she helped the Spirit push for a playoff spot. The Spirit finished the regular season in third place with a record advancing to the NWSL Playoffs Sanchez scored the game-winning goal in the team's second playoff match against OL Reign to advance to the championship final. The Spirit went on to beat the Chicago Red Stars 2–1 in extra time to clinch their first championship title.

An offensive force, Sanchez led the Spirit in assists, shots, and shots on goal during the 2022 season. In her 19 appearances (16 starts), she also scored three goals.

North Carolina Courage (2024–present)

On January 12, 2024, Sanchez was traded to the North Carolina Courage during the 2024 NWSL Draft in return for the No. 5 pick and in allocation money. She wrote on social media that she was "shocked and heartbroken" to be leaving the Spirit. On March 16, she made her debut for the Courage as they won their season opener 5–1 against the Houston Dash. The following week, she scored her first goal for the club in a 2–1 loss to expansion team Utah Royals. On June 29, she scored the only goal against former club Washington Spirit, helping the Courage to their first road win of the season. She finished her debut season in North Carolina with 5 goals and 4 assists in 26 games, leading the team in scoring. In the playoff quarterfinals, the Courage lost 1–0 to the Kansas City Current. Sanchez was nominated for the new NWSL Midfielder of the Year award.

The following season, Jaedyn Shaw joined the Courage and was expected to combine with teammates Sanchez and Manaka Matsukubo, but the potential partnership never took off under head coach Sean Nahas. On April 26, 2025, Sanchez scored her first goal of the season against the Kansas City Current, scoring the 3–2 game winner in stoppage time against the unbeaten league leaders. On June 21, she made her 100th career NWSL regular-season appearance in a 2–1 win over the Houston Dash. She finished the season with 2 goals and 2 assists in 23 appearances.

On February 10, 2026, Sanchez re-signed with the Courage on a new contract running through 2027. Moved to the left wing under new head coach Mak Lind, she began the season with two goals in a 2–1 victory over Racing Louisville on March 14, earning NWSL Player of the Week. The following month, she scored in all three games as the Courage went unbeaten and was named NWSL Player of the Month for April. On May 16, she scored her sixth goal of the campaign in a 4–0 win over the Chicago Stars, setting a new personal record less than ten games into the season.

International career

Youth national team Sanchez has represented the United States on the under-14, under-15, under-17, under-20, under-23, and senior national teams. as well as the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. In 2016, Sanchez became the first player in United States history to play in multiple World Cups in the same year. She earned her first cap on November 30, 2021, at the age of 22.

In June 2023, Sanchez was named to the U.S. squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but did not get any playing time.

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.

Endorsements Sanchez has an endorsement deal with Adidas. 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.

Career statistics International

Scores and results list United States's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sanchez goal.

Honors and awards

Washington Spirit NWSL Championship: 2021

United States U-17 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship: 2016

United States CONCACAF Women's Championship: 2022 SheBelieves Cup: 2022, 2023

Individual U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year: 2016 NWSL Challenge Cup Future Legend: 2020 First-team All-American: 2018 First-team All-Pac-12: 2017, 2018, 2019 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship Golden Ball: 2016 NWSL Player of the Month: April 2026