Two-time FIFA Women’s WC champion Ertz of USA retires

AFP, Washington :
Julie Ertz, a midfielder and defender who helped spark the United States of America (USA) to Women’s World Cup (WC) titles in 2015 and 2019, announced her retirement from professional football on Thursday.

The 31-year-old American, who married NFL tight end Zach Ertz in 2017 and became a mother in August 2022, served as a center back on the 2015 squad in Canada and a midfield standout four years later in France.

“I gave everything I had to the sport that I love,” Ertz said in a statement.

“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.”

After recovering from a serious knee injury and helping the US women capture a bronze medial at the Tokyo Olympics, Ertz was off the field for 18 months due to injuries and the birth of her son.