Vicente Sánchez

Vicente Martín Sánchez Bragunde (; born 7 December 1979) is a Uruguayan football manager and former player.

Club career Sánchez was born in Montevideo. He played for Sud América, Tacuarembó, Deportivo Toluca, FC Schalke 04, América and Nacional. On 18 January 2008, he joined German club Schalke, where he remained for two seasons. He played in Mexico again for Club América. On 1 August 2010, he scored his first goal for Club América in a match versus Chiapas.

Sánchez made the move to Major League Soccer on 6 August 2013 when he signed for Colorado Rapids. On 14 September 2013, he scored his first goal for Colorado and forced an own goal in a 2–1 win over FC Dallas.

Even with his playing time being carefully managed and his appearances limited to substitutions in the last half of most games, Sánchez was a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster 2015 season. Despite being a crowd favorite with the Colorado Rapids fans and the #2 scorer for the team, Sánchez's 2016 contract option was declined as the Colorado Rapids front office set out to acquire new talent in the form of players such as Marco Pappa, Shkëlzen Gashi, Jermaine Jones and Tim Howard. Sánchez went through the MLS Re-Entry Draft but was not selected by any other team.

He joined his hometown club Defensor Sporting for the 2016 Primera Division Clausura season and helped his team finish fourth, qualifying for the 2017 Copa Sudamericana.

Sánchez returned to MLS and joined the Houston Dynamo for the 2017 season. He helped the Dynamo reach the playoff and got the game winning assist in their opening game versus Sporting Kansas City.

On 2 April 2021, it was announced that Sánchez would come out of retirement to play and coach for USL Championship side Rio Grande Valley FC.

Managerial career

Cruz Azul On 25 January 2025, Cruz Azul appointed Sánchez as interim head coach following the unexpected departure of Martín Anselmi. After eight matches, the club announced that he would remain in charge for the rest of the Clausura 2025 tournament. During his tenure, Sánchez led Cruz Azul to their seventh CONCACAF Champions Cup trophy, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 5–0 in the final. On 6 June, Cruz Azul and Sánchez parted ways.

Emelec On 5 February 2026, he was appointed head coach of Emelec in Ecuador. On 14 May, he left by mutual consent.

International career He played for Uruguay national football team in the 2007 Copa América and has won 31 caps for the national side, scoring five goals.

International goals

Personal life Sánchez holds a U.S. green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.

Managerial statistics

Honours Player Toluca Primera División de México: Apertura 2002, Apertura 2005 CONCACAF Champions' Cup: 2003

Uruguay Copa América third place: 2004

Manager Cruz Azul CONCACAF Champions Cup: 2025

Individual Mexican Primera División Golden Ball: Apertura 2006