San Diego Wave FC announced today that the club has signed defender Chai Cortez, forward Shea Connors and defender Sydney Cummings as National Team Replacement players.
Cortez, a 5-3 defender from Hawaii, recently finished her collegiate career at University of Oregon. The outside back finished her career tied for seventh in career assists (11) and tenth in games played (79) for her alma mater.
Connors, 27, is a veteran in Australia, as the Connecticut native was named the National Premier League’s Women’s Player of the Year in 2021 with Lions FC. Following three seasons in the NPLW, where she scored 78 goals, Connors joined Brisbane Roar in the W-League. In her last season, she played in 18 games (18 starts), while earning six goals and two assists.
Cummings returns to San Diego for a second stint as an NTRP. In 2022, Cummings was selected by Racing Louisville FC as the 42nd overall pick in the fourth round of the NWSL Draft before joining the Wave. The Guyana international has since been with Western United FC in the Australian A-League, where she has made 19 appearances (19 starts) and scored four goals as a defender.
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.
Chai Cortez
Position: Defender
Height: 5-3
Born: July 18, 1998
Hometown: Kahului, Hawaii
Previous Club: N/A
College: University of Oregon
Shea Connors
Position: Forward
Height: 5-3
Born: April 12, 1996
Hometown: New Haven, Connecticut
Previous Club: Brisbane Roar FC
College: St. John’s University
Sydney Cummings
Position: Defender
Height: 5-10
Born: March 5, 1999
Hometown: Millstone Township, New Jersey
Previous Club: Western United FC
College: Brown University
