Richard Sánchez (footballer, born 1994)

Richard Sánchez (born 5 April 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy. Born in the United States, he has previously represented the Mexico under-21 national team.

For other people named Richard Sánchez, see Richard Sánchez (disambiguation).

Richard Sánchez
Sánchez playing for Chicago Fire in 2018
Personal information
Full name Richard Sánchez
Date of birth (1994-04-05) 5 April 1994
Place of birth Mission Hills, California, United States
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 LA Galaxy
Number 21
Youth career
Texas FC
2008–2009 Atlético Madrid
2009–2011 FC Dallas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 FC Dallas 0 (0)
2013 → Fort Lauderdale Strikers (loan) 14 (0)
2014–2017 Tigres UANL 0 (0)
2014 → FC Dallas (loan) 0 (0)
2016–2017 → Tampico Madero (loan) 5 (0)
2017–2019 Chicago Fire 27 (0)
2020 Sporting Kansas City 2 (0)
2020 Sporting Kansas City II 1 (0)
2021 North Texas SC 18 (0)
2022– LA Galaxy 0 (0)
2022– LA Galaxy II 4 (0)
National team‡
2011 Mexico U17 7 (0)
2013 Mexico U20 12 (0)
2014–2015 Mexico U21 3 (0)
Honours
Representing  Mexico
FIFA U-17 World Cup2011 Mexico
CONCACAF U-20 Championship2013 Mexico
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 April 2022
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21 October 2014

Youth

Born in Mission Hills, California, Sánchez is of Mexican-American heritage. He moved to Dallas, Texas and started playing with Texas Football Club before joining Atlético Madrid in Spain.[1] In 2009, he moved back to Dallas and joined the FC Dallas Academy.[1] Sánchez briefly attended Little Elm High School in Little Elm, Texas.

Professional career

FC Dallas

Sánchez signed a professional contract with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer in February 2011, becoming their sixth homegrown player.[1] Despite failing to make an appearance (other than in MLS Reserve League games), he signed an extension following the 2012 season.[2]

Fort Lauderdale Strikers (loan)

In July 2013, Sánchez was loaned to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League for the remainder of the season.[3] He made his professional debut for the Strikers on 3 August.[4] He started all 14 games in goal for the Strikers in the Fall season and kept three clean sheets.

Tigres UANL

In June 2014, Sánchez was sold to Tigres UANL. He made his debut as a substitute in a friendly against the San Antonio Scorpions. Soon after joining Tigres, he was briefly loaned back to FC Dallas before returning to Tigres in September 2014.

Chicago Fire

After a series of loans away from Tigres, Sánchez was released in the summer of 2017. He signed with the Chicago Fire in August 2017.[5]

Sporting Kansas City

On 26 November 2019, Sánchez was selected by Sporting Kansas City in Stage 1 of the 2019 MLS Re-Entry Draft.[6] On 9 December 2020 his contract option was declined.[7]

North Texas SC

On 22 April 2021, Sánchez joined USL League One side North Texas SC ahead of the 2021 season.[8]

LA Galaxy

On 18 January 2022, Sánchez signed a one-year deal with LA Galaxy as a free agent.[9]

International career

Sánchez became a key figure for Mexico's Under-17 team at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He became first choice goalkeeper under coach Raul Gutierrez, and started all seven games. He and his teammates were the first nation to win the tournament on home soil. He kept two clean sheets during the tournament including in the final. He later played with the Mexico U-20 team as first choice goalkeeper in the 2013 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Turkey.

Career statistics

Club
As of 8 February 2020[10][11]
Club Season League Playoffs Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FC Dallas 2011 MLS ––––00
2012 ––––00
2013 ––––00
2014 ––––00
Total ––––00
Fort Lauderdale Strikers (loan) 2013 NASL 140–––140
Tigres UANL 2014–15 Liga MX ––––00
2015–16 Liga MX ––––00
2016–17 Liga MX ––––00
Total ––––00
FC Dallas (loan) 2014 MLS ––––00
Tampico Madero (loan) 2016–17 Ascenso MX 50–––50
Chicago Fire 2017 MLS 20–––20
2018 250–40–290
2019 ––––00
Total 270–40–310
Career total 460004000500

    Honours

    Mexico Youth

    Individual

    Personal life

    Sánchez's girlfriend is Christina Murillo, also a footballer who, like him, was born in the United States, but has represented Mexico internationally.[12]

    References
    1. "FC Dallas signs goalkeeper Richard Sanchez". FC Dallas. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
    2. "FC Dallas extends Richard Sanchez through 2015". FC Dallas. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
    3. "FC Dallas loans Richard Sanchez to NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers". FC Dallas. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
    4. "Strikers starters". Strikers. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
    5. "Chicago Fire Sign Goalkeeper Richard Sanchez | Chicago Fire FC".
    6. "Sporting KC selects goalkeeper Richard Sanchez in Stage 1 of 2019 MLS Re-Entry Draft | Sporting Kansas City".
    7. Sam Kovzan (9 December 2020). "Sporting KC announces roster moves ahead of 2021 MLS season". sportingkc.com. MLS. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
    8. "North Texas SC Signs Goalkeeper Richard Sanchez". fcdallas.com. North Texas SC. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
    9. "LA Galaxy sign free agent goalkeeper Richard Sanchez | LA Galaxy".
    10. Richard Sánchez at Soccerway
    11. Richard Sánchez at Major League Soccer
    12. Herrera, Sandra (3 October 2018). "Christina Murillo: Falling Through Fire". Howler Magazine. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
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