When Houston Dash splurged $1.5 million to make Maria Sanchez the highest-paid NWSL player, expectations were high on the Mexican star. However, shockingly, just a few months after the record contract, Sanchez made the jump to the San Diego Wave. The lack of stability at the Houston club was touted as the reason. USWNT icon Ali Krieger believes Sanchez made the correct choice as being in a team where ‘she feels more valued, and appreciative‘ could set her up for success.

Speaking to ESPN, Krieger revealed why Sanchez is yet to hit her strides this season. She said, “The Maria Sanchez that we’ve seen in previous years, it just doesn’t seem that she’s happy, she’s having fun, she’s enjoying her football.” Krieger added, “I just think, she doesn’t look like she’s actually enjoying herself and is happy there either.” However, the 39-year-old did confess that she has no clue about Sanchez’s equation with Houston players or coaches.

However, Krieger revealed that Maria Sanchez is not playing the same as in previous years. According to Krieger, Sanchez might have wanted a change as she’ ‘not having fun.’ Regardless, one thing is clear, Sanchez has been a far cry from her previous self. In 4 games for the Houston Dash this season, the 28-year-old has 0 goals with just 1 assist!

The move to San Diego Wave will also bring Maria Sanchez closer to her role model, Alex Morgan. Back in 2014, Sanchez managed to click a picture with the USWNT superstar. 10 years later, Morgan extended a warm welcome to her longtime admirer.

Alex Morgan welcomed Maria Sanchez with a throwback moment

For Maria Sanchez, meeting Alex Morgan in 2014 marked the ‘best day‘ in her life. The official NWSL account reposted the selfie acknowledging that the pair are teammates now. Morgan went one step further and wrote, “2014->2024 we need an updated pic @Maria17_7.” However, it will be some time before fans can witness the Sanchez-Morgan chemistry on the pitch. This is because the USWNT star is out with an ankle injury. There is no timeline placed on her return. Moreover, there is a star possibility that Morgan could miss out on the 2024 Olympics in Paris as well.

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Hence, the San Diego Wave spending $500,000 in Intra League Transfer Funds and Allocation to Houston Dash for Sanchez looks like a great deal. Maria Sanchez was immense in Mexico’s semi-final run in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup tournament. If she could produce a similar form, then it bodes well for the Waves in their quest to move up the NWSL table.