Ashley Sanchez credits wing switch after record-breaking 19-goal NWSL season

Ashley Sanchez has credited a move to the left wing and work with North Carolina Courage's coaches for a 19-goal NWSL season that has established new scoring records. In an interview published by the Guardian on Friday, the 27-year-old described how a position change helped transform her attacking output after she had never previously scored more than five goals in a professional league season.

Sanchez now holds the records for the most goals by an American in an NWSL season and the most by a Courage player in a season, the Guardian reported. Crystal Dunn and Alex Morgan had shared the American benchmark of 15, achieved in 2015 and 2022 respectively. Sanchez remains one goal short of Temwa Chawinga's league record of 20, set in 2024.

She briefly appeared to have matched that total against Gotham on Saturday. Her finish would also have brought North Carolina level, but a video review found teammate Gianna Paul offside earlier in the move. The goal was disallowed. Sanchez told the Guardian that her immediate concern had been equalising, rather than the individual milestone that the finish would have represented.

Courage head coach Mak Lind had predicted a 20-goal season for Sanchez during preseason, a suggestion she initially found difficult to believe. Previously an attacking midfielder, she was playing on the wing professionally for the first time. She credited coaching on the timing of runs, recognising opportunities and moving behind defenders, while saying the role suited her existing abilities.

The improvement follows a difficult period internationally and at club level. Sanchez was selected for the United States' 2023 World Cup squad but did not play in the tournament. Five months later, Washington Spirit traded her to North Carolina after four seasons with the club.

A national-team return remains uncertain. Sanchez last appeared for the United States in October 2024 and told the Guardian on Tuesday afternoon that she had not yet heard from coach Emma Hayes. With the Courage seventh, she said helping her club reach the playoffs mattered more than collecting further records, and that she would remain proud of her season even without an international recall.