Ilie Sánchez joined Austin FC as a free agent signing in December 2024 and was named the Club's third-ever captain prior to the start of the 2025 season.
Sánchez is an eight-year MLS veteran, having played three (3) seasons with Los Angeles FC and five (5) with Sporting Kansas City before joining Austin. His career highlights in MLS include All-Star selections in 2018 and 2022, MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield titles in 2022, U.S. Open Cup wins in 2017 and 2024, and the MLS Newcomer of the Year award in 2017. Sánchez also served as LAFC’s captain, and made the match-winning penalty kick in the 2022 MLS Cup Final.
Born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, Sánchez played in FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy as a young player. He progressed through the youth levels and went on to make 114 appearances for Barça B. Sánchez transferred to 1860 Munich in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga in 2014, playing one (1) season there before going on loan to Elche CF in Spain’s LaLiga 2 for the following season. Sánchez moved to MLS in 2017.
Sánchez was a finalist for the 2024 Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, and won Sporting KC’s Humanitarian of the Year award in 2019 and 2021 for his work as an advocate and supporter of the Special Olympics’ Unified Teams.
