Ashley Sanchez Returns to USWNT Roster for Spain Friendlies

North Carolina Courage playmaker Ashley Sanchez has earned a recall to the United States women’s national team for October friendlies against Spain, as The Guardian first reported. Sanchez, who has not appeared for the US since a friendly against Argentina in October 2024, enters the camp as the NWSL's top scorer with 20 goals in 26 matches. She is currently one goal shy of breaking the overall scoring record held by Temwa Chawinga.

Sanchez's return serves as a critical test for head coach Emma Hayes to determine if the playmaker's MVP-caliber form with the Courage can translate to the international level. While the Courage system caters to Sanchez as both the primary scoring threat and chief facilitator, The Guardian reports that Hayes must now find a way to integrate her into a squad that already possesses several decisive options in the final third. Notably, Sanchez's inclusion may explain the absence of Jaedyn Shaw, who has recorded nine goals for Gotham this season.

Other key returns in the 26-player squad include Mallory Swanson, who last played in the 2024 Olympic final, and WSL standouts Sam Coffey and Naomi Girma. Girma's return to the lineup comes despite an injury absence with Chelsea since early September. Hayes stated that the camp is focused on reestablishing connections and evaluating players who have been absent from the current cycle.