Juan Pablo Sánchez Zapata (born April 18, 2003) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League.

Juan Pablo Sánchez
Personal information
Full name Juan Pablo Sánchez Zapata
Date of birth (2003-04-18) April 18, 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Valour FC
Number 8
Youth career
Toronto FC
2021–2022 Salgueiros
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Salgueiros 2 (0)
2023– Valour FC 36 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 2024

Early life

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Born in the United States to Colombian parents, Sánchez moved to Burlington, Canada with his family at age four,[1] and holds American, Canadian and Colombian citizenship.[2][3] He played youth soccer with the Toronto FC Academy.[4]

Club career

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In September 2021, Sánchez joined Salgueiros of the Portuguese fourth tier Campeonato de Portugal.[5] In 2022, Sánchez made his senior debut with the team. In July 2022, he re-signed with the club for another season.[6]

In January 2023, he joined Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League.[7] On May 26, 2024, he scored his first professional goal in a 1–1 draw against Cavalry FC.[8]

Career statistics

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As of October 19, 2024[9]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Playoffs National cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Salgueiros 2021–22 Campeonato de Portugal 2 0 0 0 2 0
Valour FC 2023 Canadian Premier League 21 0 1 0 22 0
2024 15 1 1 0 16 1
Total 36 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 38 1
Career total 38 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 40 1

References

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  1. ^ Tait, Ed (June 2, 2023). "Juan Pablo Sanchez: "They sacrificed everything for a better life for myself and my sister. They worked very hard. I'm forever grateful and thankful, too"". Valour FC.
  2. ^ Tait, Ed (January 18, 2023). ""We're excited to see how they're going to progress in this environment. They're still young. We'll need to be patient, but the upside is very high."". Valour FC.
  3. ^ "Juan Pablo profile". Team of Future.
  4. ^ Jacques, John (January 18, 2023). "Valour Adds Domestic U-21 Players Sanchez And Mzoughi". Northern Tribune.
  5. ^ "Juan Pablo é reforço" [Juan Pablo is a reinforcement]. S.C. Salgueiros (in Portuguese). September 9, 2021.
  6. ^ "Juan Pablo renova para 2022/2023" [Juan Pablo renews for 2022/2023]. S.C. Salgueiros (in Portuguese). July 26, 2022.
  7. ^ "Valour FC sign midfielder Juan Pablo Sanchez and defender Eskander Mzoughi". Valour FC. January 18, 2003.
  8. ^ Tait, Ed (May 26, 2024). "Road-weary Valour FC finally heading home with some wind at its back". Winnipeg Sun.
  9. ^ Juan Pablo Sánchez at Soccerway
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