The USWNT’s Julie Ertz, a back to back World Cup champion, is retiring from soccer

Julie Ertz, a two-time FIFA World Cup champion and two-time U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, is retiring from soccer.

Announcement details: U.S. Soccer announced Ertz’s retirement on Thursday.
* At 31, Ertz leaves the sport after a highly successful career as both a central defender and central midfielder.
* Following the 2021 Olympics, Ertz took an 18-month break due to injuries and motherhood before returning to play in the 2023 World Cup.

Career highlights: Ertz is the only player to have won the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year and the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year twice.
* She was drafted third overall to the National Women’s Soccer League by the Chicago Red Stars in 2014, winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award that year.
* In her international career, she played in two Olympic games and played every minute of four matches in the 2023 World Cup.

Behind the scenes: In a farewell message, Ertz expressed gratitude for the experiences and opportunities soccer has given her.
* Ertz’s retirement follows that of her teammate Megan Rapinoe and the stepping down of the former U.S. Women’s National Team coach Vlatko Andonovski earlier this month.

View original article on NPR

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