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María Sánchez (footballer)

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For other people named Maria Sanchez, see Maria Sanchez.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Sánchez and the second or maternal family name is Morales.
María Sánchez
Sánchez with the Houston Dash in 2024
Personal information
Full name María Guadalupe Sánchez Morales[1]
Date of birth (1996-02-20) 20 February 1996 (age 28)[1]
Place of birth Nampa, Idaho, U.S.[2]
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 San Diego Wave
Number 77
Youth career
2010–2013 American Falls HS
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Idaho State Bengals 37 (22)
2017–2018 Santa Clara Broncos 42 (13)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 Chicago Red Stars 7 (0)
2020 Guadalajara 21 (5)
2021 UANL 34 (9)
2021 → Houston Dash (loan) 3 (1)
2022–2024 Houston Dash 48 (7)
2024– San Diego Wave 22 (1)
International career‡
2010 Mexico U17
2015–2016 Mexico U20 9 (3)
2015– Mexico 58 (14)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  Mexico
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Santiago Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 April 2024

María Guadalupe Sánchez Morales (born 20 February 1996) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Born in the United States, she also plays for the Mexico national team.

Sánchez played college soccer at Idaho State University before leaving in April 2016.[3] She subsequently concluded her collegiate career at Santa Clara University in 2018.

Sánchez began her professional career with American club Chicago Red Stars, who selected Sánchez with the fifteenth overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft. After the 2019 NWSL season, Sánchez signed with Guadalajara of the Liga MX Femenil for 2020. In 2021, she moved to Tigres UANL and won the 2021 Clausura title. In the summer of 2021, Sánchez had a month-long loan to NWSL club Houston Dash, who later signed her permanently. In 2024, she signed with the San Diego Wave.

A senior and former youth Mexican international, Sánchez played at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Early life

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Sánchez is the daughter of Mexican-born Roberto Sánchez and Irene Morales, who as of 2015 were employed at a potato processing plant in American Falls, Idaho, United States. No club team was locally available, nor could her parents afford the costs of enrolling her on an elite club team, so Sánchez played only high school soccer.[4][5] Sánchez was a four-year letter-winner at American Falls High School. She was the scoring leader in the state of Idaho in all four years, scoring 26, 34, 50, and 78 goals in her freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years, respectively. Her number was later retired by American Falls High School.[6]

College career

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Idaho State University

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Despite her high school record, Idaho State Bengals was the only collegiate program that offered Sánchez a scholarship because she did not play elite club soccer. Sánchez played for Idaho State in 2014 and 2015. As a freshman in 2014, Sánchez scored seven goals and led the team and conference with 8 assists. She was named to the Big Sky Conference All-Academic team. In her sophomore year, for a team that had a record of one win, one tie, and 15 losses, Sánchez scored 15 goals and had 4 assists in 17 games. She was named to the All-Conference team.[7]

Controversy

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In April 2016, Sánchez announced she was leaving Idaho State University to seek a more "competitive environment." Idaho State denied her permission to contact other universities and alleged that a third party was assisting her contrary to NCAA rules. About 50 university teams had expressed interest in her, but Idaho State denied her request to communicate with five universities, all major women's soccer powers.[8] Idaho State further alleged that those five schools had communicated with Sánchez without permission. Sánchez denied the allegations and responded that Idaho State was blocking her soccer career. Idaho State subsequently granted her request to contact Santa Clara University and University of South Florida.[9]

Santa Clara University

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Sánchez enrolled at Santa Clara in January 2017 and began playing for the Santa Clara Broncos. She appeared in all 23 games in 2017, scored five goals, and tied for the West Coast Conference lead with six assists.[6] In 2018, Sánchez appeared in 19 games and scored eight goals.[10] She had 16 assists, first among players in all NCAA Division I programs.[11]

Club career

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Sánchez playing for the Houston Dash in 2023

Chicago Red Stars

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On January 11, 2019, Sánchez was drafted by the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).[12] She made seven appearances with the club in 2019.

Guadalajara

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On 13 December 2019, Sánchez was announced by Liga MX Femenil club CD Guadalajara as their next signing on loan for the Clausura 2020.[13] She wore number 7 for Chivas. At the end of the Apertura 2020, it was announced that Sánchez was one of several players who would leave the club.[14]

Tigres UANL

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Sánchez signed with Tigres UANL for 2021 and helped the team win the Clausura 2021. After a loan to the Houston Dash for June, Sánchez returned for the Apertura 2020 in which UANL reached the final and lost in a shootout. The club posted a farewell video on December 22, and Sánchez replied with gratitude for her to fulfill her "dreams."[15]

Houston Dash

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2021 (loan)

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In March 2021, Houston Dash acquired Sánchez's NWSL rights from Chicago in exchange for Houston's second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.[16] She signed for a month-long loan from Tigres in June 2021 and scored her first goal in the league in a 2–1 victory over the Orlando Pride.[17] Although her loan ended, Houston retained her NWSL rights.

2022 season

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Before the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft, the Dash released a list of nine protected players that included "a contracted international player who has not yet been announced."[18] The NWSL released the same list but named Sánchez as that player, although her contract signing would not be officially announced until 2022.[19] On 6 January 2022, the Dash announced that Sánchez had been signed to a two-year contact. “Joining the Dash is such a privilege for me,” Sánchez said. “It’s getting another shot at my dream, and I couldn’t be more excited to do it with a team and coaching staff that I have tremendous respect for!”[20]

2023 season

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In December 2023, Sánchez signed a three-year contract with the Dash reportedly worth almost US$1.5 million, the richest contract in NWSL history.[21][22]

San Diego Wave

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The Dash went 1–2–1 to start the 2024 season.[23] ESPN reported on 14 April 2024 that Sánchez wanted to be immediately traded from the Dash, which she confirmed on social media on 18 April.[24] The Dash traded Sánchez to San Diego Wave FC on 20 April for $300,000 in intra-league transfer funds, $200,000 in allocation money, and an international slot for 2024 and 2025.[25] Sánchez made her debut for the Wave one week later in a home victory over Bay FC.[26][27] She scored her first goal with San Diego against the same opponent during an NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match in July, tallying an assist in the same match.[28] On 18 September 2024, Sánchez scored a hat-trick against Portland Thorns FC in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. Sánchez's three second-half goals lifted the Wave to a comeback victory after facing a two-goal deficit.[29][30]

International career

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Sánchez in 2016

Sánchez was eligible to represent Mexico and the United States at the international level.

In 2015, Sánchez's coach at Idaho State told her about a tryout for the Mexico women's national under-20 football team. She made the team and, after good performances, was named to join the senior Mexico women's national football team for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. She was the second youngest player on the World Cup team.[31] Sánchez played as a midfielder in one match, a loss to England, in the World Cup.[32]

Sánchez was selected to represent Mexico at the 2023 Pan American Games held in Santiago, Chile, where the Mexican squad went undefeated to won the gold medal for the first time in their history at the Pan American Games, defeating Chile 1–0.[33][34]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 8 December 2024
Club Season League Cup[a] Playoffs[b] Continental[c] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chicago Red Stars 2019 NWSL 7 0 — 0 0 — — 7 0
C.D. Guadalajara 2019–20 Liga MX Femenil 4 0 — 0 0 — — 4 0
2020–21 17 5 — 2 0 — — 19 5
Total 21 5 — 2 0 — — 23 5
Tigres UANL 2020–21 Liga MX Femenil 17 3 — 6 0 — — 23 3
2021–22 17 6 — 6 5 — — 23 11
Total 34 9 — 12 5 — — 46 14
Houston Dash 2021 NWSL 3 1 0 0 — — — 3 1
2022 20 2 6 1 1 0 — — 27 3
2023 22 4 6 0 — — — 28 4
2024 4 0 — — — — 4 0
Total 49 7 12 1 1 0 — — 62 8
San Diego Wave FC 2024 NWSL 22 1 0 0 — 4 4 3[d] 1 29 6
Career total 133 2 12 1 15 5 4 4 3 1 167 27
  1. ^ Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup
  2. ^ Includes NWSL Playoffs and Liga MX Femenil Liguilla phase
  3. ^ Includes CONCACAF W Champions Cup
  4. ^ Includes NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup

International goals

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Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sánchez goal.
List of international goals scored by María Sánchez
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 24 July 2018 Estadio Moderno Julio Torres, Barranquilla, Colombia  Nicaragua 1–0 4–0 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games
2 27 July 2018 Estadio Moderno Julio Torres, Barranquilla, Colombia  Venezuela 2–1 3–1 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games
3 7 October 2018 Sahlen's Stadium, Cary, North Carolina, U.S.  Trinidad and Tobago 4–1 4–1 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship
4 21 September 2021 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico  Colombia 1–0 2–0 Friendly
5 23 October 2021 Estadio Gregorio "Tepa" Gómez, Tepatitlán, Mexico  Argentina 4–1 6–1 Friendly
6 12 April 2022 Estadio Nemesio Díez, Toluca, Mexico  Puerto Rico 6–0 6–0 2022 CONCACAF W Championship qualification
7 25 June 2022 Estadio Corona, Torreón, Mexico  Peru 2–1 5–1 Friendly
8 22 September 2023 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico  Puerto Rico 1–1 2–1 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup qualification
9 26 September 2023 Estadio Hidalgo, Pachuca, Mexico  Trinidad and Tobago 1–0 6–0 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup qualification
10 22 October 2023 Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, Chile  Jamaica 1–0 7–0 2023 Pan American Games
11 6–0
12 25 October 2023 Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile  Chile 2–1 3–1 2023 Pan American Games
13 28 October 2023 Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile  Paraguay 3–1 4–1 2023 Pan American Games

References

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  1. ^ a b c "List of Players – 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Las Mediocampistas de la Selección Femenil que Participarán en la Copa Mundial de Canadá 2015". Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación, A.C. (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  3. ^ Papworth, Jeff (9 June 2016). "Maria Sanchez accuses ISU of blocking her soccer career".
  4. ^ "Idaho State star creas surprising path to Worl Cup". The Idaho Statesman. 4 June 2015. pp. A8. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Sanchez (continued from A8". The Idaho Statesman. 4 June 2015. pp. A10. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Maria Sanchez". Santa Clara.
  7. ^ "Maria Sanchez – 2015 – Women's Soccer". Idaho State University Athletics.
  8. ^ Papworth, Jeff (12 June 2016). "ISU alleges NCAA violations in response to Sanchez' soccer situation". Idaho State Journal.
  9. ^ Papworth, Jeff (9 June 2016). "Maria Sanchez accuses ISU of blocking her soccer career". Idaho State Journal.
  10. ^ "Santa Clara". Santa Clara.
  11. ^ "NCAA College Women's Soccer DI Stats | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com.
  12. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  13. ^ @ChivasFemenil (13 December 2019). "🔥 @Maria17_7 llegas al equipo más querido de 🇲🇽Con unión, trabajo y dedicación vamos por todo este Clausura 2020 👊 ¡Bienvenida! 🙌 #ReChivas" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 December 2019 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Chivas Femenil Chat". Fut Mex Nation. 17 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Terminó el sueño". Once. 22 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Chicago Acquires Second Round Selection in the 2022 NWSL Draft". Chicago Red Stars. 29 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Houston Dash eclipse Orlando in first meeting of the regular season". Houston Dash. 26 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Houston Dash announces protected list ahead of NWSL Expansion Draft". Houston Dash. 10 December 2021.
  19. ^ "María Sánchez looks to have signed agreement with Houston Dash". The Striker Texas. 10 December 2021.
  20. ^ "Houston Dash sign Mexican forward María Sánchez from UANL Tigres". Houston Dash. 6 January 2022.
  21. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (18 December 2023). "Sources: Houston Dash make Maria Sanchez highest-paid player in NWSL history". The Equalizer. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  22. ^ Bachman, Rachel (18 December 2023). "She Never Played Club Soccer. Now She's the U.S. League's Top-Paid Player". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023.
  23. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (14 April 2024). "Houston Dash record-signing Maria Sanchez requests trade - sources". ESPN. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  24. ^ Anderson, Jason (18 April 2024). "Maria Sanchez confirms she wants 'immediate trade' away from Houston Dash". Pro Soccer Wire. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  25. ^ "San Diego Wave FC Acquire Mexican National Team Forward María Sánchez from Houston Dash". SanDiegoWAveFC.com. San Diego Wave FC. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  26. ^ Emerick, Tyler (28 April 2024). "San Diego Wave FC Defeats Bay FC 2-1 at Snapdragon Stadium". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  27. ^ Velasco, Francisco (28 April 2024). "San Diego Wave get massive 2-1 win over Bay FC with alternate squad". East Village Times. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  28. ^ Emerick, Tyler (21 July 2024). "San Diego Wave FC Defeat Bay FC 3-1 at Torero Stadium in NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  29. ^ "María Sánchez's hat trick propels Wave to come-from-behind win over Portland in Concacaf W Champions Cup play". San Diego Union-Tribune. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  30. ^ Emerick, Tyler (19 September 2024). "San Diego Wave Stage Late Comeback, Secure 3-2 Win Over Portland Thorns in Concacaf W Champions Cup at Snapdragon Stadium". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Forward María Sánchez named to Mexico Women's National Team roster". Houston Dynamo FC. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  32. ^ "FIFA". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  33. ^ "Mexico takes soccer gold with 1–0 win over Chile". Reuters. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Santiago 2023: Mexico beats shorthanded Chile for women's football gold". olympics.com. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
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