US soccer star Julie Ertz follows Megan Rapinoe out of the door
Megan Rapinoe isn't the only two-time World Cup winner stepping away from US Soccer following Sunday's crushing defeat in Melbourne.
Julie Ertz, a star of the US defense for the last decade, has told ESPN that she plans to retire from international play after losing to Sweden on penalties in the round of 16.
'Unfortunately this is my last time in this crest,' said Ertz, who made no mention of her NWSL career with the LA-based Angel City FC.
The 31-year-old is a new mother after giving birth to a boy named Madden last August – five years after she and her NFL star husband Zach married in Santa Barbara, California, where she attended college. Zach currently plays tight end for the Arizona Cardinals.
Following Madden's birth, Ertz played two friendlies for the US in April and recuperated enough to qualify for her third World Cup, where she was being counted upon to anchor the defense following a severe foot injury to captain Becky Sauerbrunn.
But while the US struggled to score in the ongoing World Cup, the defense played strong – particularly with Ertz alongside former Stanford star, Naomi Girma.
'The future is in absolutely great hands,' Ertz said. 'You know, sometimes you learn the most from your failures, which sucks. But it's part of my career as well.
'I'm so excited for [the USWNT] in the future.'
Ertz finishes her international career with 20 goals over 122 appearances.
And other retirements could follow for the US.
The once-dominant Americans crashed out of the Women's World Cup on penalties after a scoreless draw with Sweden in the Round of 16 on Sunday. It was the earliest exit ever for the four-time tournament champions.
A shootout in the 1999 World Cup — with a much different outcome — supercharged the U.S. team's
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