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The 2000’s were all for Oswaldo Sanchez

By Jahir M. Martinez

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 25: Oswaldo Sanchez of Santos celebrates a scored goal against America during a semifinal match as part of the Apertura 2010 at Azteca Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Francisco Estrada/LatinContent via Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 25: Oswaldo Sanchez of Santos celebrates a scored goal against America during a semifinal match as part of the Apertura 2010 at Azteca Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Francisco Estrada/LatinContent via Getty Images) /
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Throughout the start of the 2000s, there was one goalkeeper that stood out in Mexico and arguable around in the CONCACAF. Standout performances with the national team of Mexico and club teams placed Oswaldo Sanchez as an elite goalkeeper.

Santos goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez celebrates a goal scored by his team during the Mexican Apertura 2014 tournament football match against Atlas at Jalisco Stadium on August 30, 2014, in Guadalajara city, Mexico. AFP PHOTO/Hector Guerrero (Photo credit should read HECTOR GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)
Santos goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez celebrates a goal scored by his team during the Mexican Apertura 2014 tournament football match against Atlas at Jalisco Stadium on August 30, 2014, in Guadalajara city, Mexico. AFP PHOTO/Hector Guerrero (Photo credit should read HECTOR GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images) /

Before we all depended on the amazing saves Guillermo Ochoa has done throughout many games with the national team of Mexico, many of us were fortunate enough to watch Oswaldo Sanchez make much power saves on the field. The now-retired goalkeeper who played from 1993-2014 was glorified which each club team he posed with on the field.

Oswaldo started his career with Atlas (1993-1996), then moved on to Club America (1996-1999) where he minimum action on the field and shockingly joined Chivas (1999-2006) where he made his career standout. Finally, Sanchez finished his career with Santos Laguna (2007-2014) as he continued to have success in the late stages of his years.

Not only being part of many successful club teams throughout Sanchez’s career but as well a consistent participant with the national team of Mexico since the youth stages of the team. Sanchez as well as included in three FIFA WORLD CUP participations, 1998, 2002, and 2006 as he was a starter in only one of those World Cups, which was 2006 under the tactics of Ricardo La Volpe.

With 21 years in the Liga MX and with El TRI, Sanchez had about 600 games played, disputing a well over 30,000 minutes on the field and winning various Liga MX Championships. One with Chivas in Apertura 2006, also with Santos twice in the Clausura 2008 and 2012 and including a Copa MX in the Apertura 2014. Although no big trophies Sanchez can add to his resume with the national team of Mexico, he did win the Gold Cup trophy twice, one in 1996 and in 2003.

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Regardless, Sanchez will go down as one of the top 3 goalkeepers of all time in the history of Mexican soccer as his leadership was shown on and off the field and always having crucial saves inside the box to keep his team level on the scoring side. With Sanchez retiring from soccer, his place was taken by Guillermo Ocha who continues to be a standout player in Mexico.

We are fortunate to have watched both of these players in their prime time. Thank You, Oswaldo!

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