Ashley Sanchez set a record for most goals in an NWSL season by an American player, then she did herself two better.
Sanchez scored a scrappy goal in the 11th minute of the North Carolina Courage's contest with the Chicago Stars on Sunday, Sept. 6 for her 16th goal of the campaign.
That made her the top all-time American scorer in a single season, surpassing Crystal Dunn and Alex Morgan, each of whom had scored 15. Dunn reached the mark in 20 matches in 2015, while Morgan did so in 17 games in 2022.
Sanchez wasn't done.
ASHLEY SANCHEZ NAILS HOME HER 16TH OF THE SEASON 🇺🇸‼️
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 6, 2026
The most goals ever scored by an American in a single NWSL season! pic.twitter.com/U1Ft8X1rDU
In the 69th minute, she stepped to the penalty spot and converted with a hard shot
that looked to hit the crossbar and go in. That made the score 5-0, and Sanchez finished off her hat trick with a header at the back post for her 18th goal of the season.
ASHLEY SANCHEZ HAT TRICK 🤯 pic.twitter.com/AyNFIl6blA
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 6, 2026
With seven regular season matches left, Sanchez may have the all-time single-season scoring record in sight.
Temwa Chawinga, a Malawi international, set the all-time single season record with 21 goals in 26 matches for the Kansas City Current in the 2024 season. Sanchez's 18th goal moves her into a tie with Australia star Sam Kerr, who scored 18 goals in 2019.
It has been a good campaign for Sanchez, but things have been heating up since August. She scored five goals in six matches in August, with doubles against both Boston Legacy and Angel City.
The goals could help Sanchez's push to make a return to the U.S. women's national team. She was part of the United States women's national team roster that went to the 2023 Women's World Cup, but the 27-year-old hasn't been part of the U.S. picture for current manager Emma Hayes.
There is stiff competition in the U.S. attack as the 2027 Women's World Cup approaches, but Sanchez's play on the Courage's left wing and her coolness in front of the goal could lead to a recall for the USWNT's October matches against Spain. Her last call-up to a U.S. camp came in January 2025, when she joined a 26-player camp ahead of that year's SheBelieves Cup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ashley Sanchez sets NWSL U.S. scoring record as USWNT push continues
