(June 22, 2009) - The first time Keri Sanchez touched a soccer ball was before she even started kindergarten as a member of a boys’ league. From then on it was an illustrious soccer career for Sanchez, who was a member of four straight North Carolina Tar Heel teams that reached the final four, a three-year starter for the Boston Breakers and San Jose CyberRays in the WUSA, and owner of 11 international appearances as a part of the U.S. National Team. So, it was no surprise that the 36-year-old Sancez wanted to be a part of Women’s Professional Soccer.

Despite her worthy soccer resume, however, Sanchez went unnoticed in the WPS Combine last December and in open tryouts for the Los Angeles Sol. Sanchez says that is was possible her age was a factor in being passed up by the WPS teams.

But her soccer career was rejuvenated when she received a call from Los Angeles head coach Abner Rogers about five weeks into the Sol’s season. Would she come train with the team?

“I was surprised [when I got the call], but fortunate that I was kind of in the right place at the right time,” said Sanchez, who currently lives in the Los Angeles area with her 10-year-old son Bryce.

Having recently traded defender Kendall Fletcher and forward Christie Welsh to the Saint Louis Athletica, Rogers was looking to fill two open spots on the roster.

“When we realized we needed depth at outside back [we did our] homework and [Keri] proved she was the best one out there,” said Sol general manager Charlie Naimo. “She brings loads of experience, she will attack out of the back and athletically she is very reliable.”

Less than a week after coach Rogers spoke with her, Sanchez signed a contract with the Sol, making her the fifth oldest player in the league.

“I was a little nervous, but excited [to start playing],” said Sanchez. “It had been a little while since being able to go play at that level with those kinds of players…but once you start kicking the ball it comes back and you’re just excited to have the opportunity.”
Sanchez started her first game for the Sol in a 3-1 victory over the Washington Freedom on Sunday, June 7.

Although Sanchez says that playing on the field has been very exciting, she has also established a soccer career for herself off the field. As the head coach of the women’s soccer team at Claremont McKenna-Harvey Mudd-Scripps College, Sanchez took the Athenas to the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen last year.  Sanchez’s college coaching duties along with being the coach of several youth teams, have her toggling between being a coach and a player.

“As a player that’s always in your heart—it’s your favorite thing to do, but I like the challenges that coaching offers,” said Sanchez.  “Playing always helps with my coaching so if anything being back and able to play is just going to help me be a better coach.”
Sanchez’s spot on the Sol will add another entry to her distinguished resume. But, out of all the time she’s spent on the pitch she says it’s hard for her to pin down just one memory that stands out.

“You probably can’t narrow it down to just one,” said Sanchez. “But the first game I played as a professional player for the U.S. I think was a special time because that was something when I was young I never thought was going to happen.”

Now, as a grown up, Sanchez is taking advantage of her opportunity to again be a part of a professional women’s soccer league in the U.S.