María Sánchez on Thursday night confirmed reports that she has requested a trade away from the Houston Dash, adding that she wants to leave the club with “immediate” effect.
ESPN initially reported on Sunday that Sánchez, just five months after signing a three-year contract with Houston valued around roughly $1.5 million, had submitted a formal trade request.
The Mexico star took to social media on Thursday to confirm that report, reiterating her desire to leave the Dash in short order. Teams must complete trades within the NWSL by midnight Eastern on Friday, or wait until August 1 to proceed.
“This has all taken a toll and isn’t an easy thing to talk about, but I want to confirm that I’ve requested an immediate trade,” Sánchez posted on X.
“The club has been aware of this since late March and my expectations and reasons have been clear. I trust that my current club’s management will honor my decision in a timely manner and proceed with accepting a trade.”
Thank you, everyone, for the outpouring of kindness and support. pic.twitter.com/gcnN7dhCJU
— Maria Sanchez (@Maria17_7) April 19, 2024
Upon signing her deal with the Dash in December, Sánchez — who entered last winter’s offseason as a restricted free agent — was at the time the highest-paid player in the entire NWSL.
However, per the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by the NWSL and NWSL Players Association, the Dash were allowed to match any offer another team in the league tendered to Sánchez. A Houston side that struggled for goals throughout 2023 could scarcely afford to lose the Mexico winger, widely considered the club’s best attacking player.
Sánchez has started all four games this season for the Dash, posting one assist. Houston is in 11th place on four points, and is tied with the Portland Thorns (who just announced a coaching change) for the league’s worst defensive record.
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