He made history with his first step onto the pitch in the very first match of the season, purely by virtue of his age. Now, he’s a regular starter and trusted by a legendary head coach. Cooper Sanchez is rising quickly, and he’s not looking back.
Atlanta United’s Homegrown midfielder, who has been with the club since his U12 days, is a shining star of the club’s academy system. The Seattle native became the youngest player to ever start a season opener for the 5-Stripes Feb. 21, and he’s rapidly becoming one of Tata Martino’s most trusted options in the middle of the pitch.
Sanchez is fresh off his first goal for the First Team, scored against Charlotte FC in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup April 28. After signing a First Team contract just last August, his ascent is surprising even himself. At this rate, there’s no telling how high he could climb.
We asked Sanchez 17 Questions to further introduce the wonderkid to the fans who cheer him on every matchday:
You hail from Seattle but had quite the path to getting to Atlanta, what steps did you take before finding the 5-Stripes?
From Seattle, I went to Columbus, Ohio. My brother was the academy director there and I played at Columbus Crew for a bit. Then, I went to the Netherlands and played for a year at FC Utrecht. When I was with Columbus Crew, I played against Atlanta United’s U12s here at [Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground]. They kind of liked me. We were looking to come back, and I came here to Atlanta at U12.
You’ve been playing competitively since such a young age, how much is soccer ingrained into your life these days?
It’s been a lifestyle of my whole life. I would say it's always been tailored towards soccer, moving places. My parents always supported me and committed to my goals, which I'm really grateful for. It’s always been kind of the forefront of my life.
How did all that moving around as a kid teach you about the world around you?
I think it helped me a lot, honestly, now that I look back at it. Different experiences around the world, around the country, I think that's only helped me [be] able to adapt to different teammates, different players now.
You made history becoming the youngest player to start a season opener for Atlanta United this year at age 17, but you recently had a birthday. What was the first thing you did when you turned 18?
I was actually at U.S. [National Team] camp. We had a game that day, and then we celebrated with a cake at dinner. They sang happy birthday. And, yeah, it was pretty special.
You’re from a family of four boys, is that how you’ve acquired that edge that you play with?
All three are older than me. There's a 20-year age gap between me and my oldest brother, and then a 10-year age gap between the closest one to me. Honestly, the one closest to me, obviously, I kind of grew up with more. He was always in high school when I was in elementary school, so he kind of beat up on me on the field and everything. I think it helped me.
As you’re finishing up high school, what are your favorite and least favorite subjects?
[My] favorite, I would probably say is a sports science class I'm taking right now. I'd say it's pretty beneficial towards me and my learning right now. Least favorite has to be English. Writing essays and reading books is not really my cup of tea.
We’ve been seeing your music selection on your IG posts, what all is on your pregame playlist?
Right now, it's a lot of Drake, some Gunna. Recently, I've been switching it up to some house music – kind of changing the vibe, just trying to get hype before games.
What about superstitions or routines? Do you have any you simply have to do before matches?
I would say more for away trips. I always have to take a shower, like right before the game. Another thing is I tape these two fingers together [my pinky and ring finger]. I don't know when it started. It might’ve started at Generation adidas cup in the academy a couple years back, and I’ve pretty much done it ever since. It’s kind of my thing now.
What’s your favorite movie and why?
Have to say Home Alone. I think it's just a classic. I've watched it probably 20 times with the family and stuff, and people used to say I actually look like [Kevin] in the movie.
As a professional athlete and someone already making great strides at 18, what advice would you give somebody who wants to be like you?
I would say to put your head down and work hard. It’s something I've done my whole life. Don't let the highs be too high, and don't let the lows drag you down. I've started on the bench sometimes as well, and I think it's just going into your work every day and working as hard as you can and showing why you need to be on the field and showing why they can trust you.
As a youngster in a squad with a lot of experienced veterans, who is the guy that has been your biggest mentor in the locker room and on the pitch?
I would say probably Miguel [Almirón]. He’s a big one that started during preseason a little bit, where he kind of has taken me under his wing and is telling me little details on the field on what I can change to be a better player and a better leader as well. I would say Miggy's the biggest one.
You’ve bewildered many with your success as a teenager, but when you’re on the pitch, does your age ever cross your mind?
I’d say a little bit of both. I think a lot of players probably underestimate me when they see me in the lineup. I mean, I would probably be the same way if I was a veteran in the league, and I saw I’m going up against an 18-year-old who has very little experience. But I think it helps me, in a way. They underestimate me, and I can get into them a little bit more than I would if I was an older player. When I get on the field, you just go out and play. It doesn't really matter about your age.
When you think about how far you’ve come in such a short span of time with the First Team, do you have any idea what your ceiling could be?
It’s moving fast. If you asked me last year, at this time “What would you be doing next year?” I would never say that I would be starting games for the First Team. There's really no ceiling on what I can do. It's all in my control, which is the best part. It's a testament to my hard work and what I want for my career. That’s the way I want it to be.
How much pride do you take in sharing the pitch with other Homegrowns like Jay Fortune, Will Reilly, Matt Edwards and Luke Brennan?
Those are the guys I look up to as well. Obviously, they're homegrowns that have come through the pathway as well, like me. Going to them for anything I need, they're always open to me and helping me come into the team as well. It’s a pretty difficult thing as a young guy, but we have that – that core group of players, the Homegrowns – who are always sticking with each other and know what this club is about and always helping each other.
Who are some other people in your life you'd most like to thank for all the success that you've had?
I would say all of my family. My parents, obviously, the sacrifices they've made. Moving different places is not easy as a family. I’m really grateful for them. All of my brothers have helped me in different ways since I've grown up. They're still helping me to this day. So, I really thank them a lot. I want to repay them with my success.
When you zoom out and think long term, what are your ambitions in football?
I'm not going to put a timeline on anything, but I think the ultimate goals [are] to play Champions League football and to be involved in World Cups with the Men's National Team. I think those are the biggest goals that I want for myself, and I think they're achievable. And, like I said, the best part is that it's up to me whether I get there or not.
And finally, what do you want 17s to know about you?
Every game, I give everything on the pitch to give them what they deserve and watch. I still get chills when I walk out [to the pitch] in the stadium, and I see everyone with their lights and everything. So, as much as we can pack out the stadium, the better. [Let’s] make Mercedes-Benz Stadium a fortress, and make teams not want to play against us.
