‘It was like a clean slate.’ Julie Ertz’s return to action gives U.S. a defensive anchor
U.S. midfielder Julie Ertz waves after she was presented a jersey marking her 100th match before an international friendly match against Ireland in Austin, Texas, on April 8. “I wanted to just make sure that I was in the safest place for my body to return,” said Ertz, who hadn’t taken that much time off from soccer since childhood. Julie Ertz and Vietnam’s goalkeeper Thi Kim Thanh Tran go for the ball during the Women’s World Cup Group E match in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday. Without Sauerbrunn, the most seasoned active U.S. player, Andonovski’s options at center back were a pair of World Cup rookies in Naomi Girma and Alana Cook — and Ertz, a natural midfielder who played the entire 2015 World Cup as a center back, helping the U.S. go undefeated. “I’m glad we made that decision.” Ertz has been a workhorse in her three World Cups, missing just one start while helping the U.S. to two titles.
The USWNT's Julie Ertz, a back to back World Cup champion, is retiring from soccer
Discover Related
Japan beats United States 2-1 for SheBelieves Cup women’s soccer title
PEC Zwolle to take their case about disallowed goal to international rules organization
United Cup: Rampant Czechs set up semifinal against US
USWNT beats Netherlands 2-1 in goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s final match
USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher caps memorable international career with win
Alyssa Naeher: USWNT goalkeeper announces retirement from international soccer
Alyssa Naeher: USWNT goalkeeper announces retirement from international soccer
Matildas to play USA, Japan, Colombia at SheBelieves Cup in February
Key injuries hit teams at women’s soccer at the Olympics but new rules help
US men’s soccer team knows its Olympic future is likely on the line against New Zealand
U.S. women’s soccer scores Olympic-opening win over Zambia, but bigger tests loom
USWNT 3-0 Zambia takeaways: Rodman and two-goal Swanson ensure Olympics start with a win
World Cup 2.0: Why women’s Olympic football is a must-watch at Paris 2024