Photo Credit: Gary Rohman-Imagn Images
Ashley Sanchez and Barbra Banda are keeping the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League Golden Boot race interesting as both increased their tallies this weekend.
North Carolina Courage midfielder Sanchez scored her team’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to San Diego on Saturday for her league-leading 19th of the season. She needs just one more to tie the league record for goals in a single season set by Temwa Chawinga in 2024 when she scored 20 for the Kansas City Current. Sanchez’s late-game banger did secure her the record for second-most goals in a single NWSL season, though, with six games left to play.
The day before, Banda scored a brace to stay hot on Sanchez’s tail. Scoring both goals for the Orlando Pride in their 2-2 tie against Chawinga’s current gave Banda 16 on the year. In the Golden Boot race, no other player has more than 12 goals, so it is looking like the accolade will come down to Banda and Sanchez.
