Cortez grew up in Kahului, Hawaii, alongside three sisters.[1] Cortez's oldest sister, Kylie, was a college soccer player who starred for the Chaminade Silverswords.[2] As a teenager, Cortez attended Lokelani Intermediate school and Maui High School.[3][4] She led Maui High School in scoring during her last three years of education and was named to the all-league first team. Cortez also played club soccer for the Hawaii Surf, where she helped the team win two club championships.[3]
College career
In 2018, Cortez started playing with the Oregon Ducks. She started all 19 of Oregon's games in two seasons and earned All-Pac-12 Third Team and Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2021.[3][5][6] She scored her only collegiate goal against California on March 26, 2021, converting the match-winner directly off of a corner kick.[7] Cortez finished her college career in 2022 with 79 appearances and 1 goal recorded. Her 11 assists tied for the seventh-highest in program history.[3]
Club career
During the 2023 NWSL preseason, Cortez joined the Houston Dash's squad as a non-rostered invitee.[8] She ended up sustaining an injury during the Dash's training camp and did not sign with Houston.[9][10]
San Diego Wave, 2023
On July 27, 2023, Cortez signed her first professional contract with San Diego Wave FC as a national team replacement player,[11][12] becoming the first Maui Interscholastic League graduate to sign in the NWSL.[10] She made her debut with the Wave on July 8, 2023, starting and playing 60 minutes in a 2–2 draw with the Washington Spirit.[13][14] Cortez also started in the Wave's very next game, an NWSL Challenge Cup defeat to Portland Thorns FC.[15]
Later in July, Wave players who participated in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup returned to the club.[16] Subsequently, Cortez moved from a national team replacement contract to an injury replacement contract.[17] She made one more appearance for the Wave before getting released on October 7.[18]
San Diego Wave, 2024
With five Wave players out for the summer in order to compete in the 2024 Olympics,[19] Cortez again signed a national team replacement player contract on July 18.[20] She did not appear for the Wave before she was released in August 2024.[21]
International career
As a middle schooler, Cortez received her first youth international call-up in 2014 to the U-14 national team.[4][22] She later went on to represent the United States at various other youth levels, including U-16, U-17, and U-18.[3][23]
Career statistics
Club
As of December 25, 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season, and competition
