When Allison Gibson plucked a little-known left-legged dynamo out of American Falls to play for the Bengals in 2014, the Idaho State soccer coach knew she’d signed one of the best recruits in the program’s history.
The past year has only proven it. But even Gibson had no idea her freshman phenom’s career would ascend this quickly.
Maria Sanchez is training with the Mexican Women’s National Team and is attempting to make the cut for the 20-woman squad that will play in the World Cup starting in June.
Mexico and Sanchez play two exhibition games this week, and they will go a long way toward determining who makes the final roster. Mexico faces Canada on Thursday and the United States on Sunday in Carson, California. The match against the U.S. will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and Univision Deportes starting at 7 p.m. MST.
It’s a stunning opportunity for the Idaho native and arrives literally out of thin air. When Sanchez traveled to Los Angeles for Mexico’s U-20 National Team tryouts two months ago, no one with the organization knew who she was. One of the coaches pulled her aside and asked, “Where did you come from?”
“I think we keep using the term ‘dream come true,’” Gibson said. “It truly is with her. She’s worked so hard for this. It’s funny because I know it was a dream, but I don’t know if she worked toward it thinking it was a reality.”
If Sanchez were to make Mexico’s National Team roster, she’d spend a sizable chunk of her summer trying to help her squad battle out of the group stage into the round of 16. Mexico is No. 25 in the latest FIFA world rankings.
“I want it so bad and I’m going to work for it,” Sanchez said. “I don’t know if it will happen, but I’m going to work for it.”
Even if she isn’t able to stick with the main squad, Sanchez has had months of extra training with world-class coaches and players.
“I have to keep working every day and not be satisfied with where I’m at,” Sanchez said. “Just know that there’s room for more improvement.”
As for her future with the Bengals, Gibson hopes the experience boosts Sanchez’s confidence and she’ll improve on a seven-goal, eight-assist freshman debut season when she was an honorable mention all-Big Sky selection. If Sanchez does play in the World Cup, Gibson has promised she’ll be there in person. There’s no way she won’t take advantage of that chance.
“I miss watching her play,” Gibson said. “She is such a fun player to watch.”