Sanchez extends with Courage; Speck negotiating her next move
After weeks of preseason hype, it’s been a relatively quiet week for the Courage, and the NWSL as a whole.
That said, we’ll start with two big updates since last week.
First, Ashley Sanchez extended her contract through the 2027 season, a one-year extension. It’s a positive sign she and the club are mutually interested in continuing, as the attacking positions are getting crowded with Manaka Matsukubo exploding into top form last year, along with a large assortment of incoming players.
(Obligatory note for the uninitiated: last season was awkward with Manaka, Sanchez and Jaedyn Shaw essentially vying for the same position, frequently resulting in either Sanchez or Shaw on the bench. Not ideal).
(Non-obligatory note: this author is really looking forward to leaving that storyline behind in 2026, but continues to be curious as to how everyone gets adequate playing time).
The second major update this week came from veteran Meredith Speck, who’s status with the team has been unknown. Speck posted to Instagram that while the Courage did not renew her contract, she is in negotiations with the club for possible other roles. Whether that’s joining in a coaching or training capacity, or as a club ambassador, or something else entirely, wasn’t clear. The club has not made any official announcements about her departure or possible new roles.
Here’s a screenshot of the post:
Additionally, at time of publication, there’s no update on Tyler Lussi’s status with the Courage. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more.
Speck’s departure (at least as a player) continues to demonstrate how deep the roster refresh has been for the Courage ahead of the 2026 season. Starters like captain Denise O’Sullivan and depth players / “super subs” like Speck and Brianna Pinto are gone, leaving room for a wide swath of new talent. Fans and media alike are speculating how well the new direction will serve the Courage in 2026 and long-term.
Without much else happening as teams enter preseason training, I thought it might be nice to check in on the expansion sides and evaluate their progress to date.
Both clubs also drew a lot of talent from the Triangle area, so I’ll try to highlight those as I go along.
Boston Legacy FC
Boston announced their preseason roster in mid-January. Last week, the team also said they’d host a whopping five scrimmage matches ahead of their official debut against Gotham FC. Those matches might give us insight into how the team is shaping up, and give Boston some critical reps before facing the defending league champions.
Of the two expansion sides joining this year, Boston made earlier public moves than their counterparts in Denver. At face value, Boston has a lot of star power and looks solid top to bottom, but we all know soccer is dictated most by how players fit together.
Defenders
From the back, former USWNT keeper Casey Murphy was acquired from the Courage. It was a fantastic early pickup from Boston, and hopefully the refresh Murphy needs to return to top form.
Nicki Hernandez joins from Club América in the Liga MX Feminil, who reached the league finals six times during her tenure. She’s a seasoned player with plenty of minutes under her belt and a presumed starter for the club. Former Courage player Bianca St-Georges joins from Utah, and has also played on the Canadian Women’s National Team (CANWNT).
It’s also worth shouting out the duo of Laurel Ansbrow and Emerson Elgin. Ansbrow played for Wake Forest and the Courage U23s, and Elgin played for UNC.
Midfielders
One of the most intriguing signings was Chloe Ricketts, the first player to utilize the NWSL’s under-18 entry mechanism when she signed with the Spirit in 2023 at age 15. Ricketts was traded to the Houston Dash late last year, before signing with Boston.
Aleigh Gambone played for UNC, and most recently with Glasgow City F.C.
Forwards
Notably, Boston nabbed Ella Stevens from Gotham FC, pulling a top player from the championship team. They also made waves in grabbing CANWNT player and Kansas City forward Nichelle Prince. Both players are proven, formidable threats in the NWSL.
Boston also made a couple of great international signings. Amanda Gutierres is a regular for the Brazilian national team, most recently scoring a competition-best six goals on Brazil’s run to win the 2025 Copa América Femenina. Aïssata Traoré has played for the Mali Women’s National Team.
Denver Summit FC
Denver hasn’t made an official roster announcement, so there may be more to come. That said, their roster lineup so far has been slow but strong. They’ve clearly taken a more traditional build-from-the-back approach, with a lot of depth on defense, and adding some younger talent up front.
Defenders
Denver’s defense shines, and could stand up to any established NWSL club.
Keeper Abby Smith falls into the fun category of veterans where you ask, “What hasn’t she accomplished?” Smith was part of two different NWSL championship teams (Portland in 2022 and Gotham in 2023), six NWSL clubs, Australian A-League Western Sydney Wanderers, and has earned myriad accolades. Denver describes her as a “key foundational piece” for their roster. Indeed.
The rest of the back line also looks formidable.
Yes, I sadly have to remind you that multi-time Iron Woman defender Kaleigh Kurtz departed the Courage to join Denver. Megan Reid, aCANWNT center back, or Eva Gaetino, who’s earned a senior USWNT call-up, might pair well with Kurtz. And Courage legend from ~back in the day~ Carson Pickett joined from Orlando. Janine Sonis, another CANWNT player, also signed as a full back.
Midfielders
In one of the biggest offseason moves, Denver signed USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps. She’s a Colorado native and joins from OL Lyonnes. It’s impossible to quantify the veteran leadership experience she’ll bring. Jordan Baggett, who’s played with Washington and Louisville, marks another veteran addition to the midfield.
Denver also took the tactic of signing a number of college players to midfield, notably Devin Lynch from Duke.
Forwards
Denver’s most apparent scoring threat is former Courage player Ally Brazier, who spent the last three years with Orlando, including their 2024 NWSL Shield and championship squad. She’s a Colorado native and was the Denver’s first signing.
The club also pulled in Melissa Kössler from Germany and Nahikari Garcia from Spain.
Beyond that, Denver is banking on two college signings at the forward position, including UNC’s Olivia Thomas and Stanford’s Jasmine Aikey.
Hopefully that round-up was helpful as we continue to gear up for 2026.
Worth a read this week is Bill Nottingham’s post, “Four questions from the Courage’s 2026 preseason roster.”
Until next time, Courage Country!
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