Hartford Transfer Richard Sánchez to Memphis, Extend Marvyn Dorchin's Contract
Sánchez made 15 appearances for the Green and Blue in 2023, starting the first 11 games of the season.
Just days after the announcement that Marvyn Dorchin’s initial 25-day contract had been extended through the end of the season, Hartford Athletic announced Monday the transfer of Major League Soccer veteran goalkeeper Richard Sánchez to Memphis 901 FC.
The transfer was completed prior to the USL Championship roster freeze on Sept. 22, and will see Sánchez head to the 10th club of his career — a Memphis squad who have already clinched a spot in the 2023 USL Championship playoffs, currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference.
After initially holding down the starting role for Hartford in the better part of the first half of the season, Sánchez split the starting spot with former New England Revolution II goalkeeper Joe Rice — making 15 total starts, including the first 11 games of the season. His time with Hartford saw him post a 2.34 goals allowed average with one clean sheet on the year, making 35 total saves.
The experienced shot-stopper was signed ahead of the 2023 season from MLS side LA Galaxy, where he made 13 starts for their reserves in 2022. He spent one season with the Galaxy second team prior to their move to MLS Next and his move to Hartford, making 27 USL Championship appearances in his two-year stint in the league. He recorded 83 total saves in that time, with an overall save percentage of 58%. Since the beginning of his professional career in 2011, the 29-year-old has also spent time with FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City and the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, making 35 total appearances in all competitions.
In his place, Hartford announced last week the extension of former University of Massachusetts starter Maryvn Dorchin’s initial 25-day contract through the end of the 2023 season. The French goalkeeper was signed on an emergency contract ahead of the club’s 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Sept. 2, one which featured a Hatford squad of only 13 players amidst a COVID outbreak in the team that saw 10 players — including both goalkeepers — unable to make the trip.
Stepping in on just a couple days of notice, the shot-stopper was credited with just one save on the night in his only start. but played a major role in a defensive performance that saw a shorthanded Hartford team hold off the Eastern Conference powerhouse for the majority of the game. Hartford even took the lead in the first half, holding it for the majority of the first 45 before eventually conceding a the game-winner in second half stoppage time.
Dorchin will join Rice as Hartford’s two rostered goalkeepers to close out the final five games of their 2023 USL Championship campaign, beginning with their midweek rematch vs. the Rowdies on Wednesday. Hartford are already eliminated from playoff contention.