Julie Ertz, a two-time Women's World Cup champion, participated in her last game for the United States on Thursday night, a heartbreaking 3-0 exhibition triumph against South Africa.
After a ten-year career, Ertz revealed last month that she was retiring. She made her 123rd start for the United States against South Africa while donning the captain's armband.
The United States scored every goal in the first half, led by two goals from Lynn Williams. After Trinity Rodman's goal made it 2-0, Ertz was replaced in the 35th minute to a standing ovation from the crowd at TQL Stadium.
On Sunday, the clubs will play once more at Soldier Field in Chicago. Megan Rapinoe's final game will be the one as she is also retiring.
The United States played their first game since their Round of 16 Women's World Cup elimination this summer. The Americans were knocked from the premier football competition by Sweden in a penalty shootout, marking their earliest exit.
Following the defeat to Sweden, the 31-year-old Ertz had already made a retirement suggestion, sobbingly told media that it was probably the last game she would play while donning the club emblem. In August, she formally announced it.
Prior to Thursday's game, she referred to the opportunity to spend time with her kid and husband Zach Ertz, an Arizona Cardinals tight end, as "irreplaceable." And she was happy that she could leave on her own terms.
"I do feel like I could leave and say, 'It's not because Momma can't play,'" she said. Even mum can play. She just changed her priorities," Ertz stated. "And I think that just comes with age, and I just feel like I've been so blessed to have the career that I've had."
Before being selected for the World Cup roster, Ertz's future in football was up in the air. Prior to helping the United States earn bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the two-time U.S. Player of the Year suffered a knee injury. She then took time off for the birth of her son last year.
However, she participated in two exhibition matches against Ireland in April and then joined with the National Women's Soccer League team Angel City, where she is currently getting back in shape.
Ertz, who is well known for her versatility, played both defensive midfield and centre back for the United States squad that won the World Cup in 2015 and successfully defended it in 2019.
She scores 20 goals in her final season with the national team. All 17 of her World Cup games that she started were.
Between 2014 and 2021, Ertz played 95 games with the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL, scoring six goals. This season, she scored one goal in three games for Angel City.
