San Diego Wave FC have acquired veteran forward and Mexican National Team star María Sánchez from the Houston Dash for cash and other considerations.
Sánchez will be under contract with the Wave through the 2026 season, with a mutual option for 2027.
“We are thrilled to bring María to San Diego and offer her a warm welcome to our club and community,” said San Diego Wave FC President Jill Ellis. “For club and country, María has been an integral part of every team she has been on and her talent will be a wonderful addition to the club.”
Sánchez, 28, had made more than 180 appearances in league and international play. The America Falls, Idaho native has played in 71 matches across all competitions in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The Mexican-American joined Houston in January 2022. In just over two seasons with the Dash, Sánchez featured in 62 total matches, including leading Houston to the club’s first-ever NWSL playoff berth. She tallied 14 assists and scored eight goals.
Prior to Houston, Sánchez competed in Liga MX Femenil for a two-year stint with C.D. Guadalajara and Tigres Femenil. Sánchez made her Liga MX debut with Guadalajara in 2020, playing 21 total matches for Chivas and scoring five goals in regular season play. In 2021, the attacker moved to Tigres and scored eight goals, leading the club to the league final.
Before moving to Mexico, Sánchez began her professional career in 2019 when she was drafted by the Chicago Red Stars with the 15th overall pick in the NWSL Draft. She appeared in nine matches in her rookie campaign.
Sánchez has been a standout for the Mexican Women’s National Team since making her debut in 2015. She has made 70 appearances for the senior team, registering four goals and two assists.
She represented Mexico in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Concacaf W Championship in 2022, Pan American Games in 2023 and the Concacaf W Gold Cup earlier this year.
In exchange for Sánchez, the Wave will send $300,000 in Intra-League Transfer Funds, $200,000 in Allocation Money and an international slot in 2024 and 2025 to the Dash.
The Wave returns to Snapdragon Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday to host Bay FC.
