Michelle Cruz

Michelle Olivia Cruz (born May 14, 1992) is a Puerto Rican-American soccer defender who most recently played for Seattle Reign FC in the National Women's Soccer League. She previously played for Apollon Limassol in Cyprus.

Early life Born in Long Beach, California, Cruz attended Thousand Oaks High School where she was a four-year varsity player. Cruz helped lead the team to three consecutive league titles from 2007 to 2009.

In 2004, she was on the Jetix Kids Cup championship team in Paris that was televised on ABC Family.

Cruz was a member of the Cal South Olympic Development Pool from 2006 to 2007 and won the Region IV Championship. In 2008, she was named to the NSCAA/Adidas Youth Girls All-Region IV team and was an Adidas Elite Soccer Program national selection. Following her freshman season in 2010, Cruz earned an All-West Coast Conference (WCC) Honorable Mention. Her performance during the 2011 season earned her Academic All-Region Second Team and WCC All Academic Honorable mention honors. She made five appearances for the club during the 2014–15 UEFA Women's Champions League before the team was eliminated in the Round of 32.

Seattle Reign FC, 2015–16 In November 2014, it was announced that Cruz had signed with Seattle Reign FC for the 2015 season of the National Women's Soccer League. Of her signing, Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey said, "Michelle was someone we looked at towards the end of last season and felt could benefit our group. Having gained experience playing overseas, we are pleased she has decided to come to the NWSL." Cruz was waived by the team after the 2016 season.

International Cruz has represented the United States on the under-15 and under-18 national teams. She played for the Puerto Rico under-17 national football team at the 2008 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship in Trinidad.