Ashley Sanchez back in USWNT squad for Spain friendlies 2026 as Shaw omitted – implications for US and African women’s football

Sanchez’s rise, fall and comeback

Ashley Sanchez burst onto the NWSL scene in 2021, finishing the season as the league’s top scorer and earning a senior call‑up that seemed to guarantee a permanent spot on the US Women’s National Team.

Her momentum stalled after a hamstring injury in late 2023 and a subsequent dip in form, which kept her out of the squad for almost two years despite continuing to score regularly for Angel City FC.

The decision to bring her back for the September 2026 friendlies marks the first time she will train with the national team since the 2024 Olympic cycle, and it reflects head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s willingness to reward club performance over past senior caps.

The US‑Spain friendlies: a high‑stakes showcase

The United States will face world No. 1 Spain in two back‑to‑back friendlies on September 30 and October 4, 2026, in a double‑header that will be streamed globally on ESPN+.

Both matches are billed as a litmus test for the squads ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, and they also serve as a commercial showcase for the growing NWSL brand.

For the US, the fixtures are an opportunity to experiment with new personnel and tactical variations, while Spain will likely field a side that blends veteran stars with the younger talent that propelled them to the 2025 Euro title.

Why Sanchez’s return matters on and off the pitch

Tactically, Sanchez offers a direct, high‑tempo attacking option that complements the team’s traditional possession‑based style. Her ability to cut inside from the left flank and finish with either foot gives coach Andonovski an extra outlet against a disciplined Spanish defence.

Beyond the formation, Sanchez’s comeback sends a message to NWSL players that the national team is still closely watching domestic performances. This could boost the league’s credibility as a pipeline for international talent, a point that sponsors and broadcasters are keen to highlight.

For the broader African‑American community, Sanchez’s story resonates as a narrative of perseverance and representation. Her visibility on the world stage may inspire young Black girls in U.S. cities with large African diaspora populations, such as Atlanta and Houston, to pursue elite soccer pathways.

Shaw’s omission – a sign of shifting priorities?

Midfielder Emily Shaw, who earned 45 caps between 2019 and 2024, was left out of the roster for the first time since her debut. Sources close to the camp said the decision reflects a desire to inject fresh legs and to reward younger players who have excelled in the 2025‑26 NWSL season.

Shaw’s exclusion has sparked debate among pundits who argue that experience should not be discarded so close to a World Cup. Former USWNT star Megan Rapinoe, speaking on a podcast, suggested that the coaching staff is “rebuilding for the future, even if it means some short‑term pain.”

The move also underscores a broader trend in women’s football: national teams are increasingly rotating squads to manage player burnout, a concern that has grown as the sport’s calendar expands with more club competitions and international tournaments.

African women’s football feels the ripple

The US‑Spain friendlies are being watched closely by African federations because the United States remains a benchmark for professionalism, player welfare and commercial success. African coaches often cite USWNT training methods when designing their own programs.

More concretely, the match offers a scouting platform for African talent. NWSL clubs have already signed several African players in recent years – for example, Nigerian forward Uchenna Kanu (Washington Spirit) and Ghanaian midfielder Nana Ama Agyemang (Portland Thorns). A strong showing by Sanchez could reinforce the league’s reputation as a destination for African players seeking higher wages and better exposure.

Diaspora fans in Europe and North America, especially in cities like London’s Brixton or Toronto’s Little Ethiopia, are likely to tune in, boosting viewership numbers that influence future broadcasting rights deals for African broadcasters seeking to air high‑profile women’s matches.

What’s next for the USWNT and the African game

If Sanchez impresses against Spain, she could cement a spot in the final 23‑player roster for the 2027 World Cup, which will be the first edition featuring a fully professional NWSL‑to‑World‑Cup pipeline. Her performance will also determine whether the coaching staff continues to prioritize attacking flair over defensive solidity.

For African nations, the US’s squad‑rotation experiment may inspire similar approaches ahead of the 2026 African Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers. Countries like Nigeria and South Africa could use the US’s emphasis on youth to justify fast‑tracking their own emerging stars.

Finally, the commercial fallout could be significant. A successful US‑Spain showcase may attract multinational sponsors eager to associate with women’s football, and those sponsors often look for market entry points in Africa. Expect to see more joint campaigns that feature USWNT players alongside African football ambassadors in the coming months.

Quick Answers

Why was Ashley Sanchez left out of the USWNT for nearly two years?
Sanchez missed the squad after a hamstring injury in 2023 and a dip in form, despite scoring consistently for Angel City FC.

What impact could the US‑Spain friendlies have on African women’s football?
The matches serve as a scouting showcase and a benchmark for professionalism, influencing African federations’ training methods and encouraging more African players to join the NWSL.

Is Emily Shaw’s exclusion a permanent end to her USWNT career?
While Shaw was omitted from the September 2026 roster, coaches have said the decision is based on squad rotation, leaving the door open for a future recall.

Source: www.espn.com