Two weeks ago, forward Erick Sanchez of the Houston Dynamo Academy and Cy Springs High School was going through a typical school week: looking forward to the weekend to hang out with friends and relax. A midweek phone call, however, quickly changed his plans.
"I got the call on Wednesday, and I was very excited to get the opportunity to play for the Mexico U-17 national team," Sanchez said. "That's what I was waiting for. I hope I do well over there."
Sanchez has already played for the United States at the U-15 level, but his dual citizenship with Mexico makes him eligible to experience both nations' youth soccer programs. So even though Sanchez was thrilled to receive the invitation, the decision was not an automatic for the young striker; it was a family decision.
"I asked my parents and family for their opinion, and they said I should go, so there would be a Mexican player playing for the Dynamo," said Sanchez. "I'm going to show them that [Major League Soccer] is better than they think."
Sanchez started playing soccer at the age of 4 in Monterrey, Mexico. At the age of 11, he moved to McAllen, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley. When the Dynamo South Texas Academy began in September 2007, Sanchez joined the squad. After finding initial success with the DSTA, Sanchez's family moved to Houston this summer, allowing him to train with the Dynamo Academy full-time.
"This is a great opportunity for Erick, and we all hope he continues to do well for the Dynamo and Mexico," said Dynamo Director of Youth Development James Clarkson. "We are very happy with the progress he has made since the big move from McAllen to be with us full-time. He has great potential, and if he continues to work hard, there will be many more opportunities ahead of him."
Sanchez stayed at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Mexico City and trained with a program just four years removed from winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Sanchez hopes to give himself a chance to follow in the footsteps of Mexico U-17 stars like Giovani dos Santos, now 20 and a regular for the Mexico national team, and Carlos Vela, also 20, who plays for Mexico and English power Arsenal.
Knowing the success of past players, Sanchez has set some hefty goals for his time spent in camp and for his future development toward the professional level.
"I hope I get called for every camp they have and be one of the first forwards for the national team," Sanchez said. "I'd like to go overseas some day, but I'm with the Dynamo right now, and I'm happy with them."
Sanchez is no stranger to playing overseas; the 800-mile trip to Mexico City is just a drop in the bucket compared to the trip he made this summer. As one of 18 players from the Dynamo Academy who played on the European tour, he has already played against top European youth squads like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, and others.
When asked the one thing he wanted to take away from his experience, Sanchez simply said, "Get back to Houston with a big smile."
After a week being away from his home and family, Sanchez returned to Houston with a grin. Although the Mexico U-15 team lost the only game they played 2-1 to the Mexico U-17 national team that is headed to the U-17 World Cup, Sanchez was excited to get the start and play the entire first half.
"It was a good experience playing with the best players my age," said Sanchez. "I had a chance to impress the other players and the coaches."
Sanchez will find out later in the month just how impressive he was to the Mexico U-17 coaches, when they decide if he is invited to the next camp that takes place in November. He is excited about the opportunity, which comes with a strict and busy daily regimen.
"Breakfast was at 8 a.m. Then we trained at 9 a.m. for two hours, had lunch, then trained for another two hours at 5 p.m., and I was usually in bed before 10 p.m.," said Sanchez.
November is still several weeks away, and for now, Sanchez looks forward to simply spending a weekend relaxing with his friends.
