(Photo credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz introduced her retirement from soccer on Thursday.
“With immense emotion and processing, I’ve decided it is time to hang up the boots,” the U.S. girls’s nationwide workforce icon and longtime NWSL defender posted on social media.
Ertz, 31, had hinted at this determination following the Americans’ early exit on the FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this month.
Part of the workforce that lifted the trophy in 2015 and 2019, Ertz rejoined the USWNT after giving start to her first youngster, son Madden, final August.
Ertz, who’s married to Arizona Cardinals tight finish Zach Ertz, stated she needs to spend extra time along with her household.
“I know the sacrifices it takes to be the best you can be,” she stated. “As I have gotten older and become a mom, it’s clear the sacrifices of time away from my family no longer seem doable with so many factors at play.”
Ertz signed with Angel City FC of the NWSL in April. She performed seven seasons with the league’s Chicago Red Stars, who drafted her with the third general decide in 2014.
“As a former player that went through my own retirement process, I have an intimate understanding of what Julie is going through,” Angel City common supervisor Angela Hucles Mangano stated. “She has given her life to the sport of soccer, and now she has made the difficult decision to leave the game to focus on her family. We fully support her in this choice and recognize how complex these life decisions can be. She will always be a part of this club, in addition to having made an indelible mark on global soccer. We wish her only happiness in the future.”
Ertz performed within the 2016 Rio Olympics and gained a bronze medal on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She scored 10 targets over 122 worldwide appearances and was named the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2017 and 2019.
“Representing this country on the National Team has been the greatest honor,” Ertz stated. “To play for the USWNT means you chase greatness every day while you wear the crest. I hope that I was able to leave an impact that reflects that.”
Ertz thanked her teammates, coaches, followers and household for his or her help.
“Finally, to the game of soccer,” she concluded. “You have shaped every part of who I am. My relationship with my faith, my character, friendships, travel, college, heck, just my daily routine. It’s a sad thing to reflect and know the game just moves on without you. The game doesn’t owe you anything but it has given me so much. What a truly beautiful game it is. I’m just grateful for the time we had.”
Ertz’s retirement is the second vital departure for the USWNT this yr.
Megan Rapinoe, 38, will make her ultimate look for the Stars Stripes in a Sept. 24 pleasant in opposition to South Africa at Chicago’s Soldier Field. Her ultimate regular-season sport with the NWSL’s OL Reign is Oct. 6 in opposition to the Washington Spirit in Seattle.
–Field Level Media