Julia Ertz, two-time World Cup champion with U.S., retires from soccer
Two-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Julie Ertz has retired from soccer after a 10-year profession that included back-to-back Women’s World Cup titles.
Ertz, 31, had already hinted at her retirement at this summer season’s World Cup after the United States fell to Sweden on penalties within the Round of 16, tearfully telling reporters it was doubtless her last match carrying the group crest. She made it official Thursday.
“I gave everything I had to the sport that I love,” she stated in an announcement asserting her retirement. “With that I can stroll away with no regrets as a result of whereas I gave soccer each ounce of myself, soccer gave me much more, and for that I’ll at all times be grateful.”
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Ertz additionally retired from her membership group, Angel City within the National Women’s Soccer League.
It was unsure whether or not Ertz would return to soccer earlier than she was named to this summer season’s World Cup group. She nursed a knee damage earlier than enjoying within the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, serving to the U.S. win a bronze medal, then took time without work for the delivery of her son final 12 months.
But she appeared in a pair of exhibition matches in opposition to Ireland in April and signed with Angel City, working her manner again into form.
Known for her versatility, Ertz performed a defensive midfield place for the 2019 World Cup championship group. She was a centerback within the 2015 match, which the United States additionally gained.
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Ertz performed at middle again on this 12 months’s match, filling in for injured veteran Becky Sauerbrunn.
“The future is in absolutely great hands,” Ertz instructed reporters on the World Cup after the earliest exit ever for the United States. “You know, sometimes you learn the most from your failures, which sucks. But it’s part of my career as well.”
Ertz finishes her nationwide group profession with 20 objectives in 122 appearances. She performed in 17 World Cup matches, beginning all of them.
She scored six objectives in 95 video games with the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars from 2014-2021. She performed in three video games for Angel City this season with one aim.
She was named U.S. Soccer’s Player of the Year in 2017 and 2019.
