Maui High grad Cortez signs with NWSL’s Wave

Former Oregon standout joins San Diego club as replacement player

The Maui News

Chai Cortez, a Maui High School graduate and former standout for the University of Oregon, has signed a contract with San Diego Wave FC, the National Women's Soccer League club announced Tuesday.

Cortez is joined by fellow signees forward Shea Connors and defender Sydney Cummings as National Team Replacement players.

Cortez, a left-footed defender who is especially effective on set pieces, finished her collegiate career at Oregon following the 2022 season, her fifth with the Ducks. The outside back finished her career tied for seventh in career assists (11) and 10th in games played (79) for Oregon.

She was a third-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2021.

National Team Replacement players can be signed when a national team player is away on international duty and will not count against the team's salary cap. The Women's World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, begins July 20 and runs through Aug. 20.

The Wave play today against Angel City FC in Los Angeles before heading to Chicago to face the Red Stars on Saturday. Today's Wave-Angel City game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network and is set to start at 4:30 p.m. Hawaii time.

Cortez became the first Maui Interscholastic League player to be a part of an NWSL team in January when she had a non-contact stint with the Houston Dash.