February 3, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C. – Five Washington Spirit players have been called up for the annual SheBelieves Cup taking place in Frisco, Texas, Nashville and Orlando, four to the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and one to the Canada Women’s National Team (CANWNT), U.S. Soccer and Canada Soccer announced today.
Earning the call-up for the U.S. are forward Ashley Hatch, forward Trinity Rodman, midfielder Ashley Sanchez and midfielder Andi Sullivan. The four Spirit players called up are the second-most of any NWSL club. From the Spirit, Sullivan has the most USWNT experience with 39 international caps while Hatch has scored the most goals with five. Altogether, the Spirit’s February call-ups have a combined 85 appearances, 13 goals and 12 assists with the USWNT.
The Spirit’s U.S. players made waves during the USWNT’s two friendlies in New Zealand last month. Hatch tallied her fifth career USWNT goal on one of Rodman’s three assists of the week and Sanchez added another assist as the U.S. topped the Football Ferns in both contests by a combined score of 9-0. The “United Spirits” totaled 362 minutes of action across both friendlies in Wellington and Auckland.
Earning the call-up for Canada is defender Gabrielle Carle. Carle has appeared in 35 matches for the Canadian senior team in her career and has tallied a goal and an assist as well. Carle was also a member of Canada’s Olympic gold medal team in 2021.
The USWNT will host Brazil, Canada and Japan in this year’s contest for the SheBelieves Cup. The team will first take on Canada at Exploria Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, February 16 at 7 p.m. EST. Following the kickoff match, the U.S. will face Japan at GEODIS Park in Nashville on Sunday, February 19 at 3:30 p.m. EST before heading west to Frisco’s Toyota Stadium for its final match against Brazil on Wednesday, February 22 at 7 p.m. EST.
After Canada’s opener against the USWNT, the side will take on Brazil on Sunday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m. in Nashville and finish against Japan on Wednesday, February 22 at 4 p.m. EST in Frisco.
Fans can secure their tickets to all 2023 Spirit home matches with a season membership. Available here, the season membership grants fans access to priority seating, an exclusive gift from the Spirit, access to special events throughout the season and more.
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