The Houston Dash and Tigres UANL Femenil reached an agreement for Mexican international forward María Sánchez to join Houston on loan through the month of June. Last Monday, Sánchez helped Tigres bring a second league title when they became the 2021 Liga MX Champions on May 31.
Sánchez joins the Dash after the Club acquired her rights through a trade with Chicago Red Stars for Houston’s natural second round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
The Mexican American has scored a goal in seven appearances since joining Tigres earlier this year as a free agent. Before joining Tigres, Sánchez spent the 2020 season at Chivas Femenil, scoring five goals in 21 appearances for Guadalajara in 2020 after playing her rookie season with Chicago in 2019. She logged seven appearances with the Red Stars, making her NWSL debut against North Carolina on May 12.
Born in Nampa, Idaho, Sánchez enjoyed a stellar collegiate career at both Idaho State and Santa Clara University. As a freshman and sophomore, Sánchez tallied 22 goals in 37 appearances for Idaho, earning All-Academic and All-Conference honors from 2014-15. She transferred to Santa Clara in 2016, scoring 13 goals in 42 appearances in her last two seasons before graduating in 2018. In her last season, Sánchez tallied 16 assists, becoming the first player in NCAA Division I history to do so.
Sánchez made her debut with the senior Mexican Women’s National Team in 2015 and was part of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, the second youngest player on the team. The midfielder has made 24 appearances for the senior team, scoring three goals. Sanchéz was also a part of Mexico’s U-20 squad in the 2016 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Dash currently have 28 players on their active roster ahead of the 2021 NWSL season. Although Sánchez plays internationally for Mexico, she will not occupy an international roster spot because she was born in the United States.
Houston is set to travel to the Midwest this weekend to take on Kansas City NWSL as they strive to earn their first points on the road this season. Kickoff for Sunday’s afternoon match is set for 1:00 p.m. CT at Legends Field. Fans can follow the action on Paramount+ and International fans can stream the match live on Twitch.
