Mallory Swanson and Ashley Sanchez finally hit the scoresheet for the USWNT on Tuesday night, and they couldn’t have picked a better time to do it. Their clutch goals helped the United States claw back from a self-imposed two-goal deficit, securing a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Spain, the world’s top-ranked nation, outside Philadelphia. This result helped salvage a positive outcome in what had been a difficult and draining two-game series.
The Long Road Back to the Net
Both Swanson and Sanchez have been on an arduous journey since their last international goals. For Swanson, it’s been a full two years since she last found the back of the net for the national team. “I think what’s crazy is that it’s been two years since I’ve scored for this team,” Swanson said after the game. “Obviously being out last year and then coming back this year, so yea I think that I’m honestly just super grateful, my family was here and it was just a really good way to keep pushing forward.” It’s clear that goal was a huge personal moment, a reward for the grind of getting back on the field.
Ashley Sanchez’s drought has been even longer, with her last USWNT goal coming back in July of 2022. That was in a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica during the CONCACAF W Championship semifinals. Despite being included in Vlatko Andonovski’s squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Sanchez didn’t see a single minute of play, which she admitted left a bitter taste. Her club career also saw major upheaval: a trade from the Washington Spirit, her lifelong club, to the NC Courage in 2024, a move she called “shocked and heartbroken.” Seven club coaches in seven professional years meant she never truly felt settled.
Sanchez’s Stellar Return and Impact
But Sanchez has been on an absolute tear this season, thanks in part to a position change. She’s exploded for 20 goals in just 27 NWSL matches, tying the league’s single-season goals record with three games still left to break it. You could see the pent-up emotion after the Spain game, even if she hadn’t fully processed it yet. “I feel like I haven’t processed it really yet,” Sanchez told reporters, “but I’m sure I’ll feel really good about it in an hour or something when the adrenaline shuts down a bit.”
That goal against Spain capped an exceptional performance from Sanchez, who was hands down the best player on the pitch for the hosts. Not only did she score at a critical moment, but she absolutely delivered on everything Emma Hayes had asked of her. She was defending, pressing high, and consistently providing an outlet for her teammates when Spain was trying to hem them in.
These goals are a huge personal milestone for both Swanson and Sanchez. They pulled the USWNT out of a tough spot against the world’s best, showing serious fight. If this is a sign of what’s to come, this team got a massive boost.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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