Ashley’s bio
- Birth Date: January 19, 2000
- Birth Place: Canada
- Kicking Foot: left
- Jersey Number: 19
- Playing Position: Defender
- Signing Date: February 4, 2025
Pronunciation: ASH-lee KATH-roh
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Victoria, BC
ACQUIRED
Announced by AFC Toronto on January 28, 2025, ahead of the club’s inaugural Northern Super League season.
TRANSACTIONS
Joined AFC Toronto following a standout collegiate career at the University of Illinois and semi-professional experience in the USL W League and UWS. AFC Toronto exercised her contract option for the 2026 season.
PROFESSIONAL
Cathro made her professional debut with AFC Toronto, after spending the 2022 summer season with Racing Louisville FC in the USL W League, where she appeared in 9 matches, scored 2 goals, and recorded 3 assists. She also participated in training with Racing’s NWSL first team and featured in a friendly match. In 2021, she played for the San Antonio Athenians in the UWS, helping the team win the Southwest Conference and qualify for the UWS National Championship.
2025 - AFC Toronto
In her first professional season with AFC Toronto, Ashley Cathro made 18 appearances as a dependable defender, helping anchor the back line and contributed 1 assist in league play. Her consistency and defensive presence were integral to Toronto’s run to the NSL playoffs in their inaugural season.
INTERNATIONAL
Cathro has represented Canada at the U17 and U20 levels. She competed at the 2016 Concacaf U-17 Championship, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup (Jordan), and the Four-Nation Youth Tournament in China PR. At the U20 level, she featured in the 2018 Concacaf Championship and the 2017 U20 Three-Nations Tournament in Australia. She also attended senior national team training camps in 2017 and 2021.
COLLEGE
Cathro played five seasons at the University of Illinois, appearing in 78 matches and starting 70. She logged 6,330 minutes — including full 90s in 51 matches — and holds the program record for most Big Ten starts (48). She was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and was a five-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. In addition to her on-field accomplishments, Cathro earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (minors in Chemistry and Business), a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology, and began a PhD in Community Health before turning pro.
YOUTH
Originally from Victoria, she moved to Vancouver in high school to join the Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite REX program full time. Cathro began playing soccer at Prospect Lake Soccer Club, represented Team BC at the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games and 2017 Canada Summer Games, and was named BC Soccer Youth Player of the Year in 2016.
OFF THE FIELD
A high achiever both on and off the pitch, Cathro is passionate about public health, academic research, and empowering women in sport. She is the first author on a peer-reviewed academic journal publication, a skilled cook, and a visible example of how excellence in academics and athletics can go hand-in-hand.
