North Carolina Courage star Ashley Sanchez is going to camp.
As first reported by Soccer Sheet, Sanchez has been called up by the United States Women’s National Team for a pair of friendlies against top-ranked Spain during the October international window.
She joins teammates Erica Meg Parkinson (England) and Evelyn Ijeh (Sweden) in being called up for international duty during the fall window.
Parkinson was recently chosen for England’s U-20 World Cup squad, but ultimately did not travel to Poland due to club obligations. Ijeh is having a strong season with the Courage, with 11 goals and 4 assists.
Sanchez was last named to a USWNT roster in January 2025, and last played for the national team in October 2024. She made her senior debut at the international level in 2021, and has three goals and four assists across 28 caps for the USWNT.
During a Tuesday press conference, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes noted a difference in Sanchez’s play that made her stand out this year.
"Ashley's had an extraordinary season, not just in terms of the number of goals she's scored but, I think, consistency in her performance," said Hayes. “She’s deserving of that based on this season’s play. I didn’t see that last season, nor the season before.
Sanchez currently leads the NWSL Golden Boot race with 20 goals. She tied the NWSL single-season scoring record set by Temwa Chaŵinga during North Carolina’s match against the Utah Royals on Sunday.
Sanchez could feature as early as Saturday, October 10 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The second match against Spain is Tuesday, October 13 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.
Hayes recognized Sanchez’s exceptional promise as a youth player as she complimented the 27-year-old’s current form. Sanchez was named the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year in 2016.
“At [this] stage of her career, I’m sure she doesn’t want to waste the opportunities that are in front of her,” said Hayes. “This is a player who was always tipped for great things as a youth national team player, and so I’m happy to see her fulfilling her potential.”
Sanchez, who is of Mexican descent, was born in Pasadena, Calif. in 1999 and raised in Monrovia. She played soccer for the UCLA Bruins for three years, setting a school record of 42 career assists in just three seasons and twice set the school single-season record with 15 assists.
Sanchez was drafted by the Washington Spirit of the NWSL in January 2020, and scored 12 goals in 61 appearances for the spirit through 2023.
In 2024, Sanchez was “shocked and heartbroken” to be traded to the Courage, but since the transfer she has developed as a player in the lead up to her breakout 2026 season. After resigning with the Courage on a contract through 2027, she went on to score 20 goals this season, and has four matches left to break the single-season scoring record, starting with Seattle on Friday.