CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA — The last time Ashley Sanchez was with the USWNT, it just wasn't working.

As a midfielder in the team's 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup squad, Sanchez didn't play a single minute. Under Vlatko Andonovski at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, Sanchez had an undefined role that even she didn't quite fully embrace.

Even before the tournament, however, there were signs that it wasn't quite adding up. Across the final 13 matches before the World Cup began, Sanchez logged just one 90-minute performance. In 11 of those, she played just 60 minutes or fewer. When she started, she was repeatedly yanked by the hour mark.

Then 24 years old and just entering the prime of her career, Sanchez had yet to really lock down a specific position, at least for the national team. While playing attacking midfield for her club the Washington Spirit, she was often dropped into a deeper role with the USWNT as they figured out how to replace the recently-retired Julie Ertz. This resulted in her being routinely lost in the middle of the pitch, caught between multiple positions, and it showed, particularly defensively.

Fast forward multiple seasons, and Sanchez couldn't be in a more different place as she makes her return to the U.S. national team after a three-year hiatus. She's at a different club, playing a different position, and in completely different form.

Sanchez came into USWNT absolutely on fire, equalling the NWSL single-season goal scoring record with 20 goals for the NC Courage 27 matches into the 2026 season. This sensational form has come on the heels of a position change, with first-year Courage head coach Mak Lind moving her from midfield to winger.

"As soon as my coach was watching our games, he thought that I should be on the wing with my style of play," Sanchez said to reporters during USWNT camp.

"And I think he was right."

He sure was. Sanchez, who had scored a total of 19 league goals up to that point in her five-year NWSL career, exploded to life immediately. She bagged a brace in the season-opener, a 2-1 win over Louisville, and had five goals after the first six games.

ASHLEY SANCHEZ HAT TRICK 🤯 https://t.co/AyNFIl6blA

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 6, 2026

Some things just happen for a reason. "I actually had been kind of training for that in the offseason, randomly, I don't really know why, so I was ready, and I was excited to learn a new position and improve as fast as possible," Sanchez said. "I did feel like it was a good fit for my playing style."

The position change has been exactly what she needed to unlock her best skills. A dribbling wizard, playing out wide has allowed her to not only drive forward on the ball when given the space, but also take defenders on one-on-one. She combines with teammates wonderfully, and has a knack for finishing from both inside and outside the penalty area.

Sanchez now has three games to finish the 2026 NWSL regular season strong, needing just one goal to break Temwa Chawinga's single-season goal scoring record and own the mark herself.

"Moving her from the 10 position to a wide position has suited her," said USWNT head coach Emma Hayes of Sanchez.

While Hayes believes Sanchez is more than deserving of her call-up, there's still plenty she needs to show the coaching staff before she will be deployed on the field, and it may all come down to what was lacking back in 2023.

"I think there's an ease which she can settle into the group," Hayes said of Sanchez's familiarity with the USWNT squad, "but she's not trying to prove either, I think she knows she has to earn that in here.

"I've said this before and I've said this to Ashley, her role for her club is to be in a rest attack position, she doesn't have to transition back, or they're not asking her to. When they win it, they play it to her and she's been exceptional. For us, she has to come back. She knows that, and she's been working at that."

It's here that the old national team demons rear their ugly heads again. The defensive aspect of the game, to this point, has held Sanchez back. As Hayes points out, reducing her defensive role has unlocked her freedom in the final third and cranked her scoring abilities to the maximum.

MORE: Emma Hayes hails new USWNT change at National Training Center

"Every coach has different tactics that they bring in games," Sanchez said, "and Emma definitely honed in on defensive responsibilities, but I think [she stresses] attention to detail. She wants to make sure I'm on the same page as everyone else that's been here that knows her coaching style. I'm just trying to do it as quickly as possible."

With the national team, Sanchez must prove she can contribute defensively if she wishes to see the field. To exorcise the World Cup demons, she must face them head-on.

"Coming in here it can definitely be a little intimidating," Sanchez said of working with Hayes for the first time, "but I feel like it was very welcoming, and I think what's really impressed me is her attention to detail. There's big-picture stuff, but she's definitely like the smallest margins can make the difference."

Sanchez came off the bench to see 24 minutes in the first game against Spain, a 2-0 defeat. With the USWNT trailing for most of the game, there wasn't a ton of defending for a winger to do, especially late in the game, which suited her. With 13 touches, she completed seven of nine passes and got four touches in the opposition penalty area, but failed to attempt a dribble, which is her strongest skill.

A potential starting spot against Spain in the second game could see Sanchez given an opportunity to show not only what she's capable of, but what she's learned. Yet it's clear Hayes must be fully convinced of her merits before the coach will afford her that opportunity. Right now, Alyssa Thompson has the left wing position locked down, making things even more complicated.

For Sanchez, she's just keeping her head down, and not worrying about the last three years spent adrift.

"It's been amazing, it's been really exciting for me, and I'm definitely happy to be here," she added. "I'm excited for what's to come, and hopefully I can learn as much as I can and try to improve."