Ashley Hatch wasted no time in making her presence felt during her first two starts with the United States women’s national team.
Days after scoring the third-fastest goal in USWNT history in the first match against Australia, a 3-0 win for the U.S., Hatch delivered another early goal in a 1-1 draw with the Matildas on Tuesday.
.@ash_hatch33 wastes no time whatsoever1-0, USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/eQ3g8uAiH1— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2021
.@ash_hatch33 wastes no time whatsoever1-0, USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/eQ3g8uAiH1
In her second-career start, the 26-year-old ran onto a driven cross from Midge Purce in the box and sent it past Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams to give the USWNT a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute.
Who else but @ash_hatch33? pic.twitter.com/2rw6AeyhYQ— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 30, 2021
Who else but @ash_hatch33? pic.twitter.com/2rw6AeyhYQ
Hatch’s offensive production in the last two games of the USWNT’s 2021 season certainly helps her case for an eventual spot on the 2023 World Cup roster.
The forward picked up right where she left off with the Washington Spirit during the NWSL season. First, she won the NWSL’s Golden Boot after leading the league with 10 goals during the regular season. Then, days before the USWNT left for Australia, Hatch and the Spirit won the 2021 NWSL Championship for their first title in franchise history.
USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski has talked about dipping into the NWSL’s talent pool for the national team roster. Kristie Mewis is a prime example of the coach’s willingness to reward strong NWSL play with a chance on the international stage.
After ending the year on a high note, Hatch has built a strong case for her inclusion in USWNT camps in 2022.