Addressing reporters this week, Wave newcomer María Sánchez described herself as a “very shy person.”
Sánchez asserts herself on soccer fields. At Snapdragon Stadium’s pitch Saturday, the 5-foot-5 forward with a deft left foot will debut with a Wave club in need of more goals and assists.
“I’m glad she’s here and I’m excited to see what she can do,” coach Casey Stoney said.
The Wave (1-2-1) acquired Sanchez from the Houston Dash in a trade announced last Saturday. Houston will get $500,000 in funds and an international spot for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The trade’s announcement came two days after Sánchez, 28, stated on social media that she requested a trade in late March.
Stoney said the Wave tried to sign Sánchez in December before Houston retained her. Including bonuses and a fourth-year option, the contract was the largest deal in National Women’s Soccer League history, ESPN reported, before a few subsequent contracts eclipsed it.
Sánchez was asked Friday what transpired between her g with Houston and requesting a trade in March.
“There was just some things that changed, and I’m just happy that everything worked out the way it did for me to be here in San Diego,” she said. “I’m so excited to be surrounded by the players and the coaching staff here. I’m on good with the players and coaching staff in Houston. So, it’s just a transition, but I’m very happy to be here.”
Sánchez grew up in Idaho and played collegiately for Idaho State and Santa Clara, leading the country in assists with 16 as a senior. She went on to play in Mexico’s top league and for NWSL clubs in Chicago and Houston. In addition, she has played with Mexico’s under-20 and senior national teams.
Sánchez’s NWSL career shows seven goals and nine assists in 56 regular-season matches. She has recorded four goals and two assists with Mexico’s national team in 23 matches.
Contrasting the styles between the NWSL and Mexico’s top women’s league — Liga MX Femenil — Sanchez described the former as “a little more physical and more direct” and her experiences with Chivas and Tigres as “a lot more possession-based.”
She looks forward to finding a soccer groove.
“It’s been a tough month for me mentally,” said the forward, who had one assist and no shots on goal in Houston’s four matches this year, a season after totaling eight goal involvements in 22 matches. “But I’m happy to be here. I’m very happy to finally be able to focus on soccer.”
She s a Wave offense that has scored just once in the past three games and will lack Alex Morgan, who injured her ankle in the 1-0 loss last Friday in Orlando. In addition, midfielder Melanie Barcenas (hip) will be sidelined.
The opponent is Bay Area FC. The San Jose-based expansion club is 2-3-0 with 12 goals allowed and nine goals scored.
