Many were surprised when Cooper Sanchez’s name was in the starting XI for Atlanta United’s season opener against FC Cincinnati. The 17-year-old had just three prior appearances with the first team, including a start against Inter Miami with Atlanta already eliminated from playoff contention.
Four games in, and the 17-year-old has turned heads — and won the praise of Tata Martino.
“Very good. Very good,” Martino said after Atlanta’s 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, their first of the season. “It is difficult to find a 17-year-old player who understands the game so well.”
That’s not a bad thing to hear from someone who’s seen his share of talented young players throughout his almost 30 years of management. It’s even more impressive that Sanchez has made such an early impression on Martino, who has continued to start the teenager even amid Atlanta’s early struggles.
The Homegrown midfielder and U.S. youth international has made some history along the way, too. According to Atlanta United media relations, Sanchez is just one of 16 players in MLS history aged 17 and younger to start a club’s first four regular-season matches.
“Honestly, it means the world,” Sanchez said in the locker room after the match. “Obviously, it feels like the hard work is paying off throughout preseason. So for him to have this trust in me, to put a 17-year-old on the field while we’re obviously not getting results at first, is a big thing.”
It’s not just Martino who’s been impressed with Sanchez.
“He’s a great player. He’s a great person. He’s humble. He always listens. He wants to learn,” Miguel Almiron said. “We’re very happy with what he’s doing. He just needs to stay calm and know that we’re all here to help support him.”
Our coverage of Atlanta United’s 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union
Sanchez made a noticeable impact on the match in the 28th minute on Emmanuel Latte Lath’s opening goal. Though Almiron and Elías Baez were credited with assists, it was Sanchez’s pass ahead to Baez that broke the Union’s defensive line to spark the attack.
“When I received it, I saw the player jumping already,” Sanchez said. “So I found that gap and played it. And yeah, it came with a goal.”
That came after Atlanta United was presented with a decent opportunity in the 15th minute thanks to Sanchez. He struck a ball down the right channel to a hard-charging Tomás Jacob, who was able to catch up to it and cross it into Latte Lath. Though the Ivorian striker wasn’t able to take his chance, Sanchez’s pass helped set it up.
It’s moments like the ones listed above, and others on display during the match, that show why the Atlanta United organization as a whole has been keen on Sanchez. Martino’s desire has been for him to be more of a “protagonist” in making things happen from his midfield spot.
And with Sanchez’s continued emergence, Atlanta’s head coach might soon be presented with a selection dilemma. Jay Fortune should be available for selection against D.C. United, with his role on the other side of the international break to be determined. Will Reilly is still working his way back from injury. Matías Galarza continues to be integrated into the team, beginning with his first MLS start against the Union.
Those decisions will be made in due time. For now, Sanchez is looking to soak up as much knowledge as he can.
“It’s a big experience for my family, and I included,” he said. “It takes a lot of preparation, a lot of listening to the other guys that have been in the league for so long and have been overseas and playing in the Premier League.
“(I’m) just listening to them and (trying to) just keep improving (and) keep working hard every day.”
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Patience is the key. At 17, he will have ups and downs, but he has the talent to deliver mostly ups. I really like what I have seen from him so far.
I give him a lot of credit for his positioning and his vision. He’s been involved in at least two goals now (one this game and one last) and helped create a lot more chances. His movement and pass to create the first goal this weekend was simple, but something our midfield has lacked for a long time. You can tell other teams are targeting him as a pressing trigger, but so far he’s handled it well enough.
He’s not the lock-in starter by any means, but I look forward to seeing him continue to develop to hopefully be a leader on this team in the future.
I think he harassed Phily but don’t think he won many balls. Good effort but passing needs major improvement. Hope that comes with more playing time