Introduction
Richard Sánchez (born 5 April 1994) is a Mexican-American footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Sporting Kansas City in MLS.
Youth
Born in Mission Hills, California, Sánchez moved to Dallas, Texas and started playing with Texas Football Club before joining Atlético Madrid in Spain. In 2009, he moved back to Dallas and joined the FC Dallas Academy. 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. Despite failing to make an appearance (other than in MLS Reserve League games), he signed an extension following the 2012 season.
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. He made his professional debut for the Strikers on 3 August. 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.
Sporting Kansas City
On 26 November 2019, Sánchez was selected by Sporting Kansas City in Stage 1 of the 2019 MLS Re-Entry Draft.
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
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| FC Dallas | 2011 | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Fort Lauderdale Strikers (loan) | 2013 | NASL | 14 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 14 | 0 | ||
| Tigres UANL | 2014–15 | Liga MX | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015–16 | Liga MX | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2016–17 | Liga MX | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| FC Dallas (loan) | 2014 | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |
| Tampico Madero (loan) | 2016–17 | Ascenso MX | 5 | 0 | – | – | – | 5 | 0 | |||
| Chicago Fire | 2017 | MLS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 25 | 0 | – | 4 | 0 | – | 29 | 0 | ||||
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | ||
Honors
- Mexico
- FIFA U-17 World Cup: (1)
- Champion : 2011
- CONCACAF U-20 Championship: (1)
- Champion : 2013
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.