Fire announce signing of former Dallas GK Richard Sanchez

On Friday, the Chicago Fire announced the signing of the team’s newest addition, goalkeeper Richard Sanchez.

And in true MLS fashion, the Fire had to read the fine print in order to secure the 23-year-old’s services. Chicago sent their 2018 MLS SuperDraft third round pick and the 19th spot in the allocation ranking order to Portland in exchange for the Timbers’ 6th spot in said order, which allowed them to secure the goalkeeper. If Sanchez appears in five or more games this season, Portland gets the Fire’s second round draft pick, rather than their third round draft pick.

These things can never be simple, can they?

Sanchez most recently spent three seasons with Tigres, from 2014-2017. However, the Mexican youth international did not make an appearance for the Liga MX side in those three years. In 2014, he was loaned to FC Dallas— where he also failed to make an appearance— and spent 2016-2017 with Ascenso MX side Tampico Madero.

And even though the Mexican goalkeeper has had few opportunities at the first team level, he has shown some major potential as a youth international. In 2011, Sanchez led Mexico to the U17 World Cup title, and he played in all four of Mexico’s U20 World Cup campaign in 2013.

Sanchez, if nothing more, will provide the Fire some much needed cover in between the sticks. But who knows, with the Fire sending Jorge Bava to the season-ending injury list, maybe the Fire’s newest signing will finally get an opportunity at the first team level.

The Men in Red return to action on Saturday when they travel to Columbus to face That Yellow Team at MAPFRE Stadium.