Cooper Sanchez has always been ahead of the curve.
The midfielder from Seattle became the youngest player to ever debut for Atlanta United 2 on March 22, 2023 — just 15 years and 8 days old. Now, he feels like a veteran at the old age of... 17.
Saturday night, Sanchez made the second of his big debuts this season, this one his first ever MLS appearance. Over a month ago August 6, he made his First Team debut in Atlanta United's Leagues Cup win over Atlas FC. That came just a day after he officially signed a Homegrown deal with the 5-Stripes that would make him a First Team player. Momentous occasions no doubt, the next steps in what is already a five-year career with Atlanta United, but Sanchez knows he's destined for more.
"I've been here since I was 12 years old," Sanchez said during his first media availability after training Tuesday morning. "It's a pretty big moment for me and my family, to see the hard work pay off, but it's just a start."
Comparing his two debuts, Sanchez saw growth even in just two matches.
"In the League's Cup game, I came on and I was obviously nervous," Sanchez said. "It was my first time coming on at [Mercedes-Benz Stadium] as well. [I was] a little shaky at times getting on the ball and stuff, not really that confident. But I think the last game I showed you I want to get on the ball. I want to be a player that makes stuff happen."
If you watched his MLS debut and thought, "Wow, this 17-year-old looks seamless, like he fits right in on the pitch," it's because he's used to it. He's earned the trust of coaches and teammates at every level with technical skill and game understanding far beyond his years. Sanchez has been playing with older competition, and excelling, his entire footballing life.
"I always played up in an age group or two at times during my academy days, and that's got me ready for the physical side of the game," Sanchez said. "A big thanks to all the coaches that I've had along the way and also my teammates pushing me every day."
His time with Atlanta United 2, about two and a half season's worth of experience and 15 starts in 2025, has forged him. The Proving Ground has been the launchpad for multiple Homegrown players now with First Team contracts, and Sanchez is the next in line. Not many, however, can say they've been doing it as a 17-year-old.
"The training environments really good down there [with the 2s]," Sanchez said. "They push, and ultimately the goal is for everyone to get up here [with the First Team] at some point. A big thanks to [former 2s head coach Steve] Cooke, when he was here, to trust in me and [head coach Jose] Silva as well. When I was so young, to put me on the field and get me through those experiences, that only helped me to where I am today."
Sanchez, smiling, admits he's still got some work to do in the gym. Playing in the middle of the park, he's never let his size dictate what he can do on the pitch. That being said, he plans on building on his wiry, 5-foot-9 frame. Consistent First Team training, learning from the biggest and brightest, will help quite a bit on that front.
A big factor in his development will be joining the First Team for sessions on the regular. He's been one of the more frequent 2s players to make the trip up to fields 1 and 2 at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground to join the top trainings, but more consistency will only push him to improve even more.
"I think a big change is just getting more comfortable with the team and everything," Sanchez said. "I already feel connected to the group."
Nothing will be handed out, but that's just how Sanchez has operated his entire career. He's earned each step up, each promotion, each contract.
"Cooper [got] his debut, I was very happy with that," head coach Ronny Deila said after Saturday's match. "We have some really talented boys there, but we cannot put everybody on the pitch."
For a kid who has exceeded expectations at just about every step of his young career, Sanchez doesn't own an ounce of unnecessary ego. It's first in a long list of reasons to root for his success going forward.
"Just signing a contract doesn't really mean a whole lot," Sanchez said. "I'm humble. I want to be a big part of this club and a big part of the First Team going forward. It's just the first step."
