Julie Ertz announces retirement after disappointing World Cup exit

Two-time Women’s World Cup champion Julie Ertz’s run as a midfielder for the United States women’s soccer team officially ended Thursday.

Her retirement also applies to her club team, Angel Star FC, ending her professional career at the age of 31.

“I gave everything I had to the sport that I love,” Ertz said in a statement released by U.S. Soccer. “With that, I can walk away with no regrets because while I gave soccer every ounce of myself, soccer gave me even more, and for that, I’ll always be thankful.”

She is also the wife of NFL player Zach Ertz and the two had a baby together in August 2022.

Ertz’s international career ends with 20 goals and six assists for Team USA, and she foreshadowed this announcement after the team’s disappointing loss to Sweden.

“It’s tough,” Ertz said. “Obviously, we’re proud of the way that we played, but we didn’t put anything in the back of the net. The penalties was tough as well. For me, it’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever being able to have the honor to wear this crest.”

Ertz is one of a few members of the team who sang in any sort of fashion to the national anthem during the 2023 World Cup, alongside Alex Morgan, Alyssa Naeher and Lindsey Horan.

She had to fight tooth and nail just to make this year’s World Cup team as she recovered from several months off while she was pregnant and gave birth to her son, Madden Ertz, in August 2022.

“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,” ACFC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano. “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 is now poised to watch with her son as her husband plays tight end for the Cardinals following a miraculous recovery from a torn ACL.

Zach showed his appreciation for his wife’s career on Instagram.