Monrovia teen Ashley Sanchez gets USWNT call up

The U.S. women’s soccer team has called up 17-year-old forward Ashley Sanchez of Monrovia for the first time before two exhibitions against Colombia.

Coach Jill Ellis aounced 23 players Tuesday who will be invited to training camp. Twenty-one were on the roster for this month’s SheBelieves Cup, when the No. 1-ranked Americans defeated three of the world’s top teams.

Ellis also added Sanchez and Portland Thos midfielder Allie Long. Long spent some time with the team in 2014, eaing four caps.

Sanchez recently captained the U.S. to a berth in the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scoring five goals in five games during the CONCACAF qualifying touament. She tued 17 last week and is the first player bo in 1999 — the year the U.S. won the Women’s World Cup at home — to be called up to the full national team. In December, she helped the Americans qualify for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scoring three goals with five assists.

Fifteen players on the roster were on last year’s World Cup-wiing team, including Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger, Becky Sauerbru and Morgan Brian.

The U.S. will train in Orlando, Florida, for six days before heading to its match against 25th-ranked Colombia on April 6 in East Hartford, Coecticut. The teams meet again April 10 in Chester, Pesylvania. Ellis will pick 18 players to suit up for each game.

The U.S. beat Colombia 2-0 in the round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup.

ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Ashlyn Harris (Orlando), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago), Hope Solo (Seattle)

Defenders: Whitney Engen (Boston), Jaelene Hinkle (Weste New York), Julie Johnston (Chicago), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland), Ali Krieger (Washington), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue), Becky Sauerbru (Kansas City), Emily Soett (Portland)

Midfielders: Morgan Brian (Houston), Tobin Heath (Portland), Lindsey Horan (Portland), Carli Lloyd (Houston), Allie Long (Portland), Samantha Mewis (Weste New York), Heather O’Reilly (Kansas City)

Forwards: Crystal Du (Washington), Alex Morgan (Orlando), Christen Press (Chicago), Mallory Pugh (Colorado), Ashley Sanchez (So Cal)

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