Julie Ertz is a former American professional soccer player who became one of the most respected and versatile members of the United States women’s national team. Born on April 6, 1992, in Mesa, Arizona, Ertz built her reputation through her ability to play both midfield and defense. U.S. Soccer lists her with 123 international appearances, 20 goals and six assists, while her international résumé includes two FIFA Women’s World Cup championships and an Olympic bronze medal. She made her senior national-team debut against Scotland on February 9, 2013, beginning a career that would eventually place her among the most accomplished American players of her era.
What made Julie Ertz stand out was not simply the number of trophies she collected, but the way she adapted to the needs of her teams. She played every minute of all seven matches at center back during the United States’ victorious 2015 Women’s World Cup campaign, then became a major presence in defensive midfield during the team’s 2019 World Cup triumph. Her physical strength, reading of the game, tackling ability and willingness to compete for difficult balls made her an important link between the defense and attack. U.S. Soccer has described her as a dominant force in the middle of the field and notes that she won U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in both 2017 and 2019.
Julie Ertz’s Early Life and Soccer Journey
Julie Ertz grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and developed her soccer skills at a young age. She later attended Santa Clara University, where she continued to establish herself as a talented player before entering the professional game. Team USA lists Santa Clara as her college and notes that she was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NWSL Draft, after which she signed her first professional contract with the Chicago Red Stars.
Her early professional years showed that Ertz was capable of handling the demands of elite soccer. Rather than being limited to one position, she developed into a player who could contribute in different areas of the pitch. That versatility became particularly important for the national team, where tactical adjustments sometimes required her to move between center back and defensive midfield. Her development also helped explain why she became such a reliable player during major international tournaments.
Her Rise With the U.S. Women’s National Team
Ertz’s international breakthrough came during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. At only 23 years old, she entered the tournament with limited international experience but quickly became a crucial part of the American defense. According to U.S. Soccer, she played every minute of all seven matches at center back and helped the United States produce a remarkable 540-minute scoreless streak during the tournament. She was also selected to the World Cup All-Star Team.
That tournament established Ertz as more than a promising young player. She had demonstrated that she could perform under enormous pressure against the world’s strongest teams. Over the following years, her role evolved, and she became especially influential in midfield. Her ability to win challenges while maintaining positional discipline gave the United States additional defensive protection without sacrificing its ability to build attacks from the center of the field.
| Julie Ertz Career Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Julie Beth Ertz |
| Date of birth | April 6, 1992 |
| Birthplace | Mesa, Arizona |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in |
| Position | Midfielder |
| USWNT debut | February 9, 2013 |
| USWNT appearances | 123 |
| International goals | 20 |
| World Cup titles | 2015, 2019 |
| Olympic medals | 1 bronze |
| Olympic appearances | 2016, 2020 |
| U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year | 2017, 2019 |
Julie Ertz and the 2015 & 2019 World Cups
The two World Cup victories are arguably the defining achievements of Julie Ertz’s career. In 2015, she was primarily used as a center back and played a central role in a defense that helped the United States win the tournament. Four years later, her role was different but equally important. During the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Ertz operated as a defensive midfielder and helped provide balance behind the team’s attacking players. The United States ultimately defeated the Netherlands 2–0 in the final to retain the World Cup title.
Her performances during this period earned significant individual recognition. U.S. Soccer says Ertz was named Female Player of the Year in 2017 and 2019, making her the only player to win the organization’s Young Female Player of the Year award and later win its senior Female Player of the Year award twice. She was also selected to the FIFA FIFPro Women’s World XI in 2015 and 2019.
A particularly notable statistic illustrates her effectiveness around the opposition’s goal. U.S. Soccer records that Ertz scored 20 international goals, with 10 coming from headers. Eight of her goals were game-winners, while eight came from free kicks or corner situations.
Her Olympic Career and Tokyo 2020 Bronze Medal
Julie Ertz was a two-time Olympian, competing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the Tokyo 2020 Games, which were held in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Team USA records that the United States finished fifth in Rio and won the bronze medal in Tokyo.
Her Tokyo campaign was particularly impressive because she returned from a knee injury earlier in 2021. U.S. Soccer notes that she played in all six matches in Tokyo, starting five, and accumulated 525 minutes, the second-highest total on the American team during the tournament.
The bronze-medal match against Australia ended with the United States winning 4–3, giving Ertz an Olympic medal to add to her two World Cup titles. Her Olympic experience also demonstrated her durability and importance to the national team during a period when the squad faced a demanding international schedule.
Julie Ertz’s Playing Style and Biggest Strengths
One of the defining characteristics of Julie Ertz was her versatility. Although U.S. Soccer currently lists her position as midfielder, she became internationally recognized for performing at a high level as both a center back and defensive midfielder. This made her particularly valuable to coaches because she could change roles without losing her effectiveness.
Her style was built around physicality, positioning, tackling and defensive awareness. Ertz was also dangerous on set pieces because of her ability to attack crosses and score headers. Her 20 international goals included 10 headers, according to U.S. Soccer.
“I gave everything I had to the sport that I love.” — Julie Ertz, discussing her retirement.
Her competitive approach became an important part of her identity as a player. She was often willing to make difficult challenges, cover space for teammates and perform the less glamorous defensive work required to help an attacking team remain balanced.
Her Club Career and Return to Professional Soccer
Ertz entered the professional game after being selected third overall by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2014 NWSL Draft. Team USA notes that she signed her first professional contract with Chicago that year. Her club career gave her the opportunity to develop alongside other elite players while continuing to establish herself with the national team.
After a period away from professional soccer, Ertz returned to the game in 2023 with Angel City FC. Her comeback was significant because she had spent a lengthy period away from the field and had also become a mother. U.S. Soccer records that she returned to the national team on April 8, 2023, after giving birth to her son, Madden, in August 2022.
Her return allowed her to participate in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which became the final major tournament of her international career. Although the United States exited in the round of 16 after losing to Sweden on penalties, Ertz’s return itself was an important part of her career story.
Julie Ertz’s Retirement and Lasting Legacy
In August 2023, Ertz announced her retirement from international and professional soccer. ESPN reported that she had decided to step away after the 2023 World Cup, while U.S. Soccer later recorded her final USWNT total as 123 appearances and 20 goals.
Ertz played her final USWNT match against South Africa on September 21, 2023. The United States won 3–0, and the occasion served as a farewell to a player whose career had included two World Cup championships, an Olympic bronze medal and more than a decade of international service. ESPN reported that Ertz’s decision was connected to shifting priorities toward her family rather than simply an inability to continue playing at the highest level.
Her legacy is ultimately defined by versatility, resilience and championship success. Few players can claim to have excelled as both a defender and midfielder while winning two World Cups and an Olympic medal. For American soccer fans, Julie Ertz remains an example of how tactical intelligence, physical commitment and adaptability can make a player valuable across different generations and systems.
Conclusion
Julie Ertz built an exceptional soccer career through determination, versatility and consistent performances on the biggest stages. From her breakthrough at the 2015 World Cup to her midfield role in the 2019 championship, she became one of the most dependable players in the history of the U.S. women’s national team. Her two World Cup titles, Olympic bronze medal, individual awards and 123 international appearances reflect the scale of her achievements.
Her retirement in 2023 closed a remarkable chapter, but her influence remains. Ertz showed that a player can evolve throughout a career, move between positions and continue competing at an elite level while adapting to major changes away from the pitch. Her story is therefore about much more than trophies—it is about commitment, adaptability and leaving the game with a lasting legacy.
FAQs
1. Who is Julie Ertz?
Julie Ertz is a former American professional soccer player who represented the U.S. women’s national team as a midfielder and defender.
2. How many World Cups did Julie Ertz win?
She won two FIFA Women’s World Cups, in 2015 and 2019.
3. How many USWNT appearances did Julie Ertz make?
U.S. Soccer currently lists Ertz with 123 appearances and 20 international goals.
4. When did Julie Ertz retire?
Ertz announced her retirement from professional and international soccer in August 2023 and played her final USWNT match on September 21, 2023.