By IVES GALARCEP
With a plethora of goalkeepers on the roster, and no likelihood of playing time any time soon, Richard Sanchez has made a move to help continue his growth as one of the better young goalkeeping prospects in CONCACAF.
The Mexican Under-20 National Team goalkeeper has been loaned by FC Dallas to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL, FC Dallas announced on Tuesday.
Sanchez, 19, most recently started in goal for the Mexican U-20s at the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey, helping his team to a place in the knockout rounds, where they lost to Spain, 2-1.
“I believe that Richard needed to play,” said FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo. “After playing in the Under-20 World Cup with Mexico, he is at the stage where coming here and sitting on the bench is not going to help his development.”
A proposed move to send Sanchez to Mexican side UANL Tigres fell through after Sanchez balked at the move, source confirmed to SBI. FC Dallas and Tigres had agreed on a fee prior to the Under-20 World Cup (approximately $1 million for a percentage of Sanchez’s rights), but Tigres never reached an agreement on personal terms with Sanchez, who sources tell SBI is not interested in a move to the Mexican League in the immediate future.
The 19-year-old American-born goalkeeper has started for Mexico on the Under-17 and Under-20 levels, helping lead the Under-17 team to a World Cup title in 2011.
FC Dallas currently have Peruvian National Team goalkeeper Raul Fernandez in goal, with veteran Chris Seitz serving as his back-up. FC Dallas also has young goalkeepers Kyle Zobeck (23) and Jesse Gonzalez (18) on the books.
Sanchez joins a Fort Lauderdale Strikers side coming off a disappointing spring season in NASL, a season that led to the firing of former coach Daryl Shore. The Strikers recently hired Austrian coach Gunther Kronsteiner to take over as head coach.
What do you think of this move? Like the idea of Sanchez getting games? Surprised to see him pass up a chance to go to Liga MX?
Share your thoughts below.