The U.S. Women’s National Team just clawed their way back from a gnarly 2-0 deficit against the reigning world champions, Spain, battling to a 2-2 draw. And while the overall result might be mixed, it was Ashley Sanchez who absolutely stepped up when it mattered most, making her first USWNT start in a whopping 714 days and scoring a crucial goal.
Down Early, Again
Tuesday’s game kicked off with the USWNT needing a solid start, especially after Spain hit them with a two-goal lead in just 14 minutes and never looked back four days prior. For a minute, it looked like the U.S. had it, but by the 32nd minute, it was the same old story. Two brutal defensive lapses cost them dearly against the world champions, and suddenly the USWNT was down 2-0. Seriously? They needed a hero, a problem-solver, with roughly an hour still on the clock.
Sanchez to the Rescue
Enter Ashley Sanchez. On a team packed with talent, she emerged. Sophia Wilson darted towards goal but, seeing a defender inching closer, sent the ball to her left. It drifted perfectly to Sanchez, who had the space to work her magic. She cut inside, entered the penalty area, totally unbothered by the two defenders who had been giving the U.S. attack fits. They left a tiny crevice, a space only the most talented could exploit, and the NWSL’s golden boot leader, at 27 and in the form of her life, rose to the challenge effortlessly. The ball took a bounce near the goal line, but she took the hit for a reason: no one was in a position to stop it. It landed in the back of the net, just as she intended.
Breaking the Scoring Drought
Before Sanchez’s stunner, the USWNT was stuck, folks. They’d gone a brutal 139 minutes against Spain without a single goal, and it wasn’t for lack of effort. Finishing was an issue, as they generated 2.26 expected goals without actually scoring. Lily Yohannes even missed a penalty midway through the second half on Tuesday. Things felt even worse at halftime of Tuesday’s defeat, with the U.S. team only generating 0.23 expected goals from six shots. It was clear they desperately needed someone who would finally make a difference. Sanchez stepped up big, both at a timely juncture for the team and for herself. She’d been out of the national team picture for two years until this month’s friendlies, but her return had become undeniable by the time Hayes named the roster two weeks earlier, especially after a position change.
So while a 2-2 draw after being down 2-0 is a mixed bag, and Spain was definitely the aggressor, Ashley Sanchez was a genuine bright spot for the USWNT. Her goal, her performance, her sheer ability to crack an otherwise sturdy Spain back line? That’s what you absolutely love to see. Here’s hoping she keeps that NWSL Golden Boot form rolling for the squad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply