 Cox played as a defender for the United States women's national soccer team and won an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.Born in Los Gatos, California, Cox grew up in Elk Grove, California and attended Elk Grove High School where she helped lead her soccer team to two league championships.She was named to the all-section team as a junior and senior, won the youth All-American award from NSCAA and was named a Parade Magazine All-American.