Just a day before the National Women’s Soccer League’s transfer portal closed, Mexican international winger Maria Sánchez’s team officially requested a trade from the Houston Dash. The trade was confirmed Friday before the league’s midnight deadline ensuring that Sánchez could move teams before the next trade opened in August. Later that day, official confirmation of a record-breaking deal between the Houston Dash and the San Diego Wave was announced.
Sánchez’s new contract to join the Wave is the latest addition to her record-breaking contract. This recent contract sees Sanchez joining the Wave in exchange for a whopping $500,000 being paid to the Dash—the largest amount of intra-league funds exchanged in NWSL history, according to ESPN.
The fee will be divided into three main parts: $300,000 in Intra-League Transfer Funds, $200,000 in Allocation Money and an international slot for the Dash to utilize in 2024 and 2025. The spot likely will be used for Brazilian defender Tarciane dos Santos de Lima as she is set to sign with Houston.
Sánchez had international headlines last December for signing an outstanding continuation $1.5 million dollar contract meant to keep her in Houston until 2026 and allow her to extend it through the 2027 season. The contract was significant for a multitude of reasons. First the contract was the biggest one signed in the NWSL at the time. Second, it serves as a reminder that Mexican players are at the same caliber as those in the U.S., and an inspiration for rising young female players. Third, since her contract is with the league and not directly with the Houston Dash, the Wave must take on the remaining portion of the $1.5 million contract, which includes any bonuses granted and Sánchez’s exercised fourth-year option.
Maria’s departure from the team comes after contributing one assist and three shots during her four games and 348 minutes played this season. “La Bombi,” as affectionately referred to by fans, was an essential part of the Dash after joining the team in 2022. However, this year, Houston finds itself at the bottom of the league, sitting in 12th place on the 14-team table.
Leaving Houston means Maria will return to her collegiate roots as she spent her two final years of college playing at Santa Clara University. She scored 13 goals in 42 games and led all Division 1 players in assists with 16 at her peak. She had joined the sunny coast after playing at Idaho State University where she scored 22 goals in 37 games.
Aside from her success in the leagues, Sánchez has found tremendous acclaim as a regular player on the Mexican Women’s National Team. She has been instrumental in leading la selección to the victories and triumphs. Since making her national debut at age 19 in 2015, she’s made over 60 senior team appearances including the 2015 Women’s World Cup where she was the second youngest player on the roster and the 2016 U-20 Women’s World Cup. She also served as the captain for El Tri during all five matches of the 2023 Pan American Games, where Mexico outscored opponents 17-2 in pursuit of the gold medal. It was during this tournament that she made history, becoming the first Mexican player to tie for the Golden Boot award at the tournament with four goals. She most recently led the team to the 2024 Women’s Gold Cup semifinals after beating the U.S. Women’s National Team and Paraguay.
Maria’s childhood saw her compete against older kids, mainly boys, in Idaho as she tried to turn her passion for the beautiful game into something greater. She finished high school with a career record of 178 goals, ultimately becoming one of the best players in the state. She often recounts the machismo and barriers she faced while playing as a Latina in Idaho and the expectations of her parents.
Sánchez continues to advocate for equity in sports, the dismantling of machismo, and more importance and significance to be placed on women and girls in soccer and sports. As she evolves into a new chapter of her career, let’s take a look at what this move might mean and how she’ll fit into the Wave.
Sánchez played mostly as a left winger for Houston where there had been five different head coaches since 2021 however she’s been shifted into a wingback role in a 3-5-2 under head coach Fran Alonso. When she joins, she’ll be the ninth forward on the Wave’s roster. San Diego is currently playing three forwards under Alex Morgan; Sofia Jakobsson, Savannah McCaskill and Jaedyn Shaw, utilizing the 4-2-3-1 formation the Dash used in their loss against the Wave in September. The current set up would require changes to fit in a pure winger like Sánchez, but it’s not impossible. If they were to have McCaskill drop deeper that would allow Sánchez to join Shaw in playing wide of Jakobsson. All this would come at the cost of benching some players.
Shaw and Morgan have sustained injuries, meaning minutes will be limited. So far, Shaw’s playing time has been limited to make sure she can play for the USWNT during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Morgan was taken off the pitch in a recent game due to an ankle injury, which may provide the space for better depth with Sánchez as she brings experience from both NWSL and Liga MX Femenil leagues and international competition.
Maria’s contract represents a new change in both the league and the culture. As the NWSL continues to grow and more eyes are tuned in to matches, players will have the opportunity to gain larger contracts and be paid their worth. With so many new eyes on women’s sports and women’s soccer, future generations of girls will grow up knowing that their dreams of playing professional soccer are achievable. With Sánchez and countless others serving as inspiration, the sport will only continue to diversify and grow.
The Wave will face off against Bay FC this Saturday at the Snapdragon Stadium. So far no lineups have been released but there is a possibility fans could see Sánchez take the field.