Orange County Blues FC News Release -- www.ocbluesfc.com
Friday, February 21, 2014
IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County Blues FC has re-signed forward Chris Cortez. Cortez was one of the leading scorers for the Los Angeles Blues in 2013 and has returned in 2014 to the newly named OC Blues FC.
Cortez, 26, was a member of Chivas USA’s Youth Academy, and following his college career at the University of California Berkeley, he turned professional in 2011 with Chivas USA. After training with Chivas Guadalajara, he spent one season with Reynosa FC in Mexico in 2012 before he returned to the United States to join the Blues last year.
In his first season for the Blues, Cortez scored nine goals in 23 appearances and is looking to do even more damage in 2014. Cortez ended last season with 65 shots, placing him second in the league, and with 21 points, ranking him 12th in USL PRO. He was named USL PRO Player of the Week for the week of May 19-25, 2013 after he scored two goals and notched an assist in a 4-3 victory against the Charlotte Eagles.
Cortez is an Orange County native, having grown up in Mission Viejo, and is pleased to remain with the Blues for another season.
“I’m very excited, and can’t wait for the season to start, and play in Orange County, which I describe as heaven,” said Cortez about the team’s new identity. “I’m proud to be surrounded by an excellent coaching staff.”
Coach Daryuosh Yazdani is happy to welcome the forward back. “As a coach, I’m really happy to have him come back this season, and I expect him to believe in himself to be the best forward in the league.”
OC Blues FC's first home match at Anteater Stadium at University of California Irvine is set for Saturday, April 5th, as the Blues welcome expansion franchise OKC Energy FC. The 2014 USL PRO season begins on Saturday, March 22nd at StubHub Center in Carson, for a match against the newly formed LA Galaxy II. For more information on OC Blues FC, please visit www.ocbluesfc.com.