Ashley Hatch never imagined she could have it all—until she did. The Washington Spirit forward, a former No. 2 overall draft pick, NWSL champion, and Golden Boot winner, hasn't stepped onto the pitch in 11 months. But she's living out a different kind of dream: motherhood.
On a quiet morning in West Virginia, Hatch sits in the backseat of her car, her three-month-old son Leo dozing peacefully beside her in his carseat. Her husband, Jeff Van Buren, is driving the family from their farmhouse to meet up with teammate Casey Krueger. Baby Leo barely makes a peep before settling in for a nap—a small victory that feels monumental to a new mom.
This visit marks a special milestone: it's the first time Hatch will meet Krueger's baby daughter, Calla, born just at the end of March. Hatch has leaned heavily on Krueger and fellow mom Andi Sullivan as she navigates her first pregnancy and prepares for her return to professional soccer. Their support has been a lifeline, proving that motherhood and elite athletics don't have to be mutually exclusive.
For Hatch, becoming a mom was always a cherished goal—but for most of her career, she thought it was out of reach. "I've wanted this for so long, and now that it's actually a reality, it's like, 'Oh wow, this is what living your dream really looks like,'" she says. "Whether we're going on a walk or just holding Leo in the rocking chair, my heart is just so full in those moments."
Her days now start early—between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m., when Leo wakes. (She's often already been up at 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. to soothe a teething baby.) After feeding and playing with him, she gets ready for training. If Leo is coming along, Van Buren—who doubles as her husband and Leo's NWSL "childcare provider"—makes her breakfast before they make the drive from their West Virginia farmhouse to the Spirit's training facility.
This Sunday, Hatch will celebrate her first Mother's Day as a mom. And as she balances feedings, training sessions, and the joy of watching her son grow, one thing is clear: "Being a mom is truly a dream come true."