Character, intensity, and work ethic—it’s not that other soccer stars lack these traits, but Ashley Sanchez seems to be a subject-matter expert on them. Regarded as one of the most talented midfielders, the US Women’s National Team superstar never misses an opportunity to leave everyone in awe with her impressive performances.

While her on-pitch prowess requires no introduction, many remain in the dark about her personal life, particularly her romantic relationships. Today, we’ll learn more about Sanchez’s boyfriend, Josh Wood, who also happens to be an expert in a similar yet different field as the North Carolina Courage star!

Meet Josh Wood, Ashley Sanchez’s boyfriend

As you all are familiar with the name, Josh Wood is also a professional athlete. However, unlike Ashley Sanchez, he plays a different kind of football, American one to be precise. Mr. Boyfriend has been playing as a line breaker for the University of California at Los Angeles-based BC Lions since 2022. Yet, he calls the Late Kobe Bryant his true inspiration. While Sanchez was born and raised in Washington, D.C., Wood is a South California native and was born and brought up in the Los Angeles area.

Regarding his family, you would be surprised to know that he is a proud Asian-American. That’s because his grandmother hails from China, having migrated later to Taiwan. As a mixed-race athlete of Black, White, and Asian descent, Josh takes pride in his diverse family heritage. “Being black, white and Chinese was always a cool thing to me. I’m mixed with so many things but I had pride in all of them. A lot of people would never know unless I say it. I have the pride actually to share it. I’m not one of those people who hides it,” he said, during an interview with BC Lions.

Interestingly, both Ashely Sanchez and Josh Wood crossed paths with each other at UCLA. Both are believed to dating for a while and are quite serious with each other. Often sharing lovey-dovey pics on their socials, the couple made their relationship public on 2020’s Christmas Eve among their ardent followers.

Just when you think that’s all there is to know about Josh Wood, there’s more and this one will actually blow your mind!

Ashley Sanchez’s boyfriend is a jack of all trades!

Yes, you heard that right. During his fifth year at UCLA, Josh Woods decided to enroll in film courses, minoring in Film, Television, and Digital Media Studies. His interest in films and shows even led him to intern for the CBS-based show S.W.A.T., starring the well-known actor Shemar Moore. That experience provided him with valuable insights into the basics of the film industry and how it operates.

Josh’s versatility extends beyond football; in addition to playing, he co-hosts a popular show within the football community. Having spent years playing at UCLA, Josh built relationships with local media covering the games. Always comfortable in front of the camera, he received an offer from James H. Williams to co-host the UCLA football podcast on the BLEAV network.

Some glimpses of his media ventures can be found on his Instagram account, @woodsy_j, where he has around 12.7K followers. Additionally, Josh frequently shares photos in stylish outfits, further establishing himself as a social media influencer.