Sanchez, 17, joins veteran-laden USWNT squad for April camp

The USWNT will face Colombia on April 6 and 10 as preparations continue for this summer's Olympics.
Sanchez, 17, joins veteran-laden USWNT squad for April camp
Sanchez, 17, joins veteran-laden USWNT squad for April camp /

Another 17-year-old is in the mix for the U.S. women's national team ahead of a pair of April friendlies.

Forward Ashley Sanchez, the captain of the U-17 women's team, joins Mallory Pugh with an otherwise veteran-laden senior squad for a training camp prior to two matches against Colombia, the side the U.S. beat in the round of 16 en route to the 2015 Women's World Cup title. 

Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Becky Sauerbrunn and Hope Solo anchor their respective positions, while Olympic qualifying and SheBelieves Cup standouts Morgan Brian and Crystal Dunn also feature. 

"We don’t have that many international matches before the Olympics, so every game takes on increased importance as far as the performance of the players, the evolution of the relationships among the positions and the overall growth of the team," U.S. manager Jill Ellis said in a statement. "Most of the players will be coming in from NWSL pre-seasons so we expect everyone to be sharp and we are looking forward to the challenges that a team like Colombia will present as we continue our Olympic preparations."

Of the 23 called into camp, 18 will be on the roster for the April 6 and 10 matches in Hartford, Connecticut, and Chester, Pennsylvania, for which the U.S. will be donning its new uniforms.

Here's the roster in full:

GOALKEEPERS: Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)

DEFENDERS: Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS: Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City)

FORWARDS: Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado), Ashley Sanchez (So Cal Blues)


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