Sanchez making strong impression for Rowdies

Posted Jul 30, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 30, 2010 at 11:11 AM

After a week to get to know his new teammates, and showing some excellent touches in practice on Thursday and Friday, new FC Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder Ricardo Sanchez is hoping to make an immediate impression if given the chance against Portland on Saturday night at Steinbrenner Field.

“I’m going to be 100 percent for tomorrow,” Sanchez said after Friday’s practice. “I’ve been training so hard in Vancouver all the time, and I feel 100 percent to play, so I’m going to be at my best level for these games in Tampa.”

The owner of a prolific left foot that scored 17 goals in 55 games during his time with the Minnesota Thunder, Sanchez has made a strong impression on his new teammates with his technical ability. Sanchez believes that is his biggest strength as a player, and Rowdies coach Paul Dalglish hopes that getting to see Sanchez work day-in and day-out will help the team’s younger players learn and develop.

“He’s a very good player,” Dalglish said. “It’s not a surprise after all he’s achieved in the league, and that’s why you bring players like that in to give you that quality and hopefully some of the others learn from him as well and watch what he does, especially with the number of young players we’ve got, hopefully they can learn from him, copy what he does and it won’t be too long before they’re doing exactly the same.”

As with fellow former Whitecap Jonny Steele after his arrival last week, though, Sanchez is eager to get out on the field and represent his new team.

“I’m excited, I cannot wait to play,” Sanchez said. “I’m very glad. I’m happy, my family is happy and I know I’m going to have a lot of game-time, so that’s the most important thing for me.”