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via Getty

via Getty

Trinity Rodman, who left the pitch in a wheelchair during her last NWSL game, has yet to show signs of recovery. Without Rodman, Washington Spirit managed a close 2-1 win against Angel City FC last night. Suffering a back spasm, the 23-year-old potentially miss Washington’s clash with Orlando on October 07. Since Rodman is crucial to the Spirit’s run in the playoffs, there’s a chance for her to rest during the USWNT’s friendlies against Argentina and New Zealand in the last week of the next month. If the US striker is out, Emma Hayes could make use of a versatile midfielder.

And that’s Ashley Sanchez. The North Carolina Courage star has time and again shown her capability both as a midfielder and a forward. However, she hasn’t played a single USWNT game since the horrible 2023 World Cup crash. And so, former US superstar Ali Krieger believes it’s high time Sanchez is called to the US camp.

“If you’re playing in the league week in and week out. You’re scoring as many goals as she is, you’re having a positive impact on games,” said Krieger, referring to Sanchez, on the Futbol W podcast. Thereafter, the former US defender asserted that Sanchez has done more than enough to deserve a USWNT call-up. “What more do you want from a player in her position?” Krieger added.

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It must be noted that, the demand to have Sanchez back in the US squad gained traction earlier when Krieger interviewed the former for ESPN FC. Back then, the NC Courage midfielder also made it clear that she badly wants to comeback.

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Ashley Sanchez is more than ready for USWNT return under Emma Hayes

It is not a new affair for a midfielder to compensate for a forward in a lineup. Well, it’s historical in football. Speaking of the USWNT, coach Emma Hayes notably summoned veteran midfielder Lynn Williams for the Olympics when striker Catarina Macario got injured. So there’s indeed a chance for Ashley Sanchez and she’s ready any day to take it.

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“It’s always hard when you’re not playing and the team’s not doing well and you think can make a difference. Obviously I want to go back and make a difference and hopefully win some hardware in some way.” Ashley Sanchez said. And Krieger immediately approved Sanchez’s plans to keep trying for the USWNT return. “No question in my mind that you’ll be back there and then um you know you can make it even bigger impact,” Krieger said.

Do you think Ashley Sanchez should immediately be called up to the US camp? How well will she replace Trinity Rodman? Share your thoughts in the comments below.