Vicente Sánchez
Uruguayan footballer (born 1979)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vicente Martín Sánchez Bragunde (Spanish pronunciation: [biˈsente ˈsantʃes]; born 7 December 1979) is a Uruguayan football manager and former player.
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Vicente Martín Sánchez Bragunde | ||
| Date of birth | 7 December 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Montevideo, Uruguay | ||
| Height | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–1999 | Sud América | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000 | Sud América | 17 | (0) |
| 2000 | Tacuarembó | 11 | (1) |
| 2001 | Nacional | 9 | (2) |
| 2001–2007 | Toluca | 242 | (85) |
| 2008–2010 | Schalke 04 | 50 | (3) |
| 2010–2012 | América | 49 | (11) |
| 2012–2013 | Nacional | 25 | (4) |
| 2013–2015 | Colorado Rapids | 55 | (11) |
| 2016 | Defensor Sporting | 10 | (2) |
| 2017 | Houston Dynamo | 21 | (2) |
| 2021 | Rio Grande Valley FC | 29 | (2) |
| International career | |||
| 2001–2008 | Uruguay | 31 | (5) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2022 | Pachuca (assistant) | ||
| 2024–2025 | Cruz Azul U23 | ||
| 2025 | Cruz Azul (interim) | ||
| 2025 | Cruz Azul | ||
| 2026 | Emelec | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
Sánchez was born in Montevideo. He played for Sud América, Tacuarembó, Deportivo Toluca, FC Schalke 04, América and Nacional.[1] On 18 January 2008, he joined German club Schalke, where he remained for two seasons.[2] He played in Mexico again for Club América. On 1 August 2010, he scored his first goal for Club América in a match versus Chiapas.[3]
Sánchez made the move to Major League Soccer on 6 August 2013 when he signed for Colorado Rapids.[4] On 14 September 2013, he scored his first goal for Colorado and forced an own goal in a 2–1 win over FC Dallas.[5]
Even with his playing time being carefully managed and his appearances limited to substitutions in the last half of most games, Sánchez was a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster 2015 season. Despite being a crowd favorite with the Colorado Rapids fans and the #2 scorer for the team, Sánchez's 2016 contract option was declined as the Colorado Rapids front office set out to acquire new talent in the form of players such as Marco Pappa, Shkëlzen Gashi, Jermaine Jones and Tim Howard. Sánchez went through the MLS Re-Entry Draft but was not selected by any other team.
He joined his hometown club Defensor Sporting for the 2016 Primera Division Clausura season and helped his team finish fourth, qualifying for the 2017 Copa Sudamericana.
Sánchez returned to MLS and joined the Houston Dynamo for the 2017 season. He helped the Dynamo reach the playoff and got the game winning assist in their opening game versus Sporting Kansas City.[6]
On 2 April 2021, it was announced that Sánchez would come out of retirement to play and coach for USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC.[7]
Managerial career
Cruz Azul
On 25 January 2025, Cruz Azul appointed Sánchez as interim head coach following the unexpected departure of Martín Anselmi.[8] After eight matches, the club announced that he would remain in charge for the rest of the Clausura 2025 tournament.[9] During his tenure, Sánchez led Cruz Azul to their seventh CONCACAF Champions Cup trophy, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 5–0 in the final.[10] On 6 June, Cruz Azul and Sánchez parted ways.[11]
Emelec
On 5 February 2026, he was appointed head coach of Emelec in Ecuador.[12] On 14 May, he left by mutual consent.[13]
International career
He played for Uruguay national football team in the 2007 Copa América and has won 31 caps for the national side, scoring five goals.[14]
International goals
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 July 2004 | Estadio Miguel Grau, Piura |  Argentina | 2–2 | 2–4 (L) | 2004 Copa América | |
| 2 | 24 July 2004 | Estadio Garcilaso de la Vega, Cuzco |  Colombia | 1–2 | 1–2 (W) | 2004 Copa América | |
| 3 | 18 October 2006 | Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |  Venezuela | 1–0 | 4–0 (W) | Friendly | |
| 4 | 30 June 2007 | Estadio Polideportivo, San Cristóbal |  Bolivia | 0–1 | 0–1 (W) | 2007 Copa América | |
| 5 | 13 October 2007 | Estadio Centenario, Montevideo | Bolivia | 4–0 | 5–0 (W) | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Personal life
Sánchez holds a U.S. green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[15]
Managerial statistics
Honours
Player
Toluca
Uruguay
- Copa América third place: 2004
Manager
Cruz Azul
Individual
- Mexican Primera División Golden Ball: Apertura 2006