Ertz announced last month that she was retiring after a 10-year career. She started against South Africa, wearing the captain’s armband for her 123th appearance for the United States.
Two- time Women’s World Cup winner Julie Ertz played her final match for the United States, an emotional 3- 0 palm over South Africa in an exhibition on Thursday night.
Julie Ertz blazoned last month that she was retiring after a 10- time career. She started against South Africa, wearing the captain’s armband for her 123th appearance for the United States.
Lynn Williams scored doubly as the U.S. did all its scoring in the first half. Ertz substituted out in the 35th nanosecond to a standing acclamation from the crowd at TQL Stadium, shorty after Trinity Rodman’s thing that made it 2- 0.
The brigades play again on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago. That match will be the last for Megan Rapinoe, who’s also retiring.
It was the first match for the United States since exiting this summer’s Women’s World Cup in the Round of 16. The Americans were excluded by Sweden in a penalty shootout, their foremost elimination from football’s top event.
The 31- time-old Ertz had formerly suggested at her withdrawal following the loss to Sweden, tearfully telling journalists it was probably her final match wearing the platoon crest. She made it sanctioned in August.
She said before Thursday’s game that being suitable to spend time with her son and hubby Zach Ertz, a tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, was “ irreplaceable. ” And she was thankful to walk down on her own terms.
“I do feel I could step down and be like, ‘ It’s not because Momma can’t play. mammy can play. She has just acclimated precedences, ’” Ertz said. “ And I suppose that just comes with age and just I feel like I ’ve been so blessed to have the career that I ’ve had. ”
It was uncertain whether Ertz would return to football before she was named to the World Cup platoon. The two- time U.S. Player of the Time nursed a knee injury before helping the U.S. palm citation at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, also took time off for the birth of her son last time.
But she appeared in a brace of exhibitions against Ireland in April and inked with Angel City in the National Women’s Soccer League, working her way back into shape.
Known for her versatility, Ertz was a center back for the 2015 World Cup champion U.S. platoon and a protective midfielder when the Americans defended their title in 2019.
She finishes her public platoon career with 20 pretensions. She started all 17 of her World Cup matches.
Ertz scored six pretensions in 95 games with the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars from 2014- 2021. She played in three games for Angel City this season with one thing. Know More Latest Football News…