The opposition wins the ball and transitions forward, players off the ball advancing into attack. Number 26 in white flies in against the flow, stops the attack in its tracks with a physical tackle, Lucas Sanabria. Part Kovalenko midfield destroyer and Tyler Adams ball hunter, Sanabria adds an array of attacking qualities as well.
Video footage reveals a composed finisher with head and feet, particularly as a late arrival into the box. He can rake Paul Scholes-like passes out of deep midfield or through balls with slide rule precision and tasty curling crosses into prime scoring positions. With few exceptions, when he wins the ball, it results in a pass into a goal dangerous positions. At age 21, Sanabria currently occupies the bench for the Uruguayan national team, positioned to take over the midfield in the near future.
Sanabria offers the qualities of both recently departed Galaxy midfielders, Mark Delgado and Gaston Brugman, with a healthy dose of Edwin Cerrillo. At five feet eleven inches, his leaping ability makes him a threat on corner kicks and strong against long passes. Footage shows the classic aerial goal-scoring technique, beat the defender by jumping early to deliver a thumping header.
Until the return of Riqui Puig, coach Greg Vanney can play a double pivot in the 4-2-3-1 because both Cerrillo and Sanabria can advance the ball, deliver a line splitter, and destroy opposing attacks. Sanabria should be ideal for Vanney’s repressing principles, keeping the Galaxy in the attack even after the ball turns over. With Copa Libertadores experience, the Uruguayan should fare well in the Campeones Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup competitions.
With Puig out until at least August, the Galaxy must generate offense with a more defensive-minded midfield. Vanney can deploy Sanabria in a number of different roles while retaining the compact shape he values so much.
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