USWNT star Julie Ertz bids emotional goodbye to soccer with 3-0 win over South Africa in her final match: ‘To any young girl that dreams to be here…it’s worth it – every part of it’

Two-time Women’s World Cup winner Julie Ertz played her final match for the United States – an emotional 3-0 victory over South Africa – in an exhibition on Thursday night.

Ertz – who is married to NFL star Zach of the Arizona Cardinals – announced last month that she was retiring after a 10-year career. She started against South Africa, wearing the captain’s armband for her 123rd appearance for the United States.

Lynn Williams scored twice as the US did all its scoring in the first half. Ertz was subbed out in the 35th minute to a standing ovation from the crowd at TQL Stadium, shorty after Trinity Rodman made it 2-0.

The teams play again on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago. That match will be the last for Megan Rapinoe, who is also retiring.

‘A big thank you to the fans for coming tonight, obviously this is a monumental game for me,’ an emotional Ertz said on the field.

The 31-year-old announced last month that she was retiring after a 10-year career in soccer

Ertz was subbed out in the 35th minute to a standing ovation from the crowd at TQL Stadium

‘I’m beyond grateful to represent this crest for as long as I have. I want to say thank you to my teammates and for the great win tonight. To any young girl that’s out there that dreams to be here, it’s worth it. Every part of it.

‘I’ve enjoyed every part of this journey that i’ve had and you guys are a big part of that. God has been so good – I’m so blessed to be here and to have one final game for this last chapter. I love this sport so much – as we all do – and I’m grateful to be part of the US soccer family.’

The 31-year-old then performed a mic drop. 

It was the first match for the United States since exiting this summer’s Women’s World Cup in the Round of 16. The Americans were eliminated by Sweden in a penalty shootout, their earliest elimination from soccer’s top tournament.

The 31-year-old Ertz had already hinted at her retirement following the loss to Sweden, tearfully telling reporters it was likely her final match wearing the team crest. She made it official in August.

She said before Thursday’s game that being able to spend time with her son and husband, a tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, was “irreplaceable.” And she was grateful to walk away on her own terms.

‘I’m beyond grateful to represent this crest for as long as I have,’ Ertz said after the game

The 31-year-old wore the captain’s armband for her 123rd appearance for the United States

‘I do feel I could step away and be like, “It´s not because Momma can´t play. Momma can play. She has just adapted priorities,”‘ Ertz said. ‘And I think that just comes with age and just I feel like I´ve been so blessed to have the career that I´ve had.’

It was uncertain whether Ertz would return to soccer before she was named to the World Cup team. The two-time US Player of the Year nursed a knee injury before helping the U.S. win bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, then took time off for the birth of her son last year.

But she appeared in a pair of exhibitions against Ireland in April and signed with Angel City in the National Women’s Soccer League, working her way back into shape.

Known for her versatility, Ertz was a center back for the 2015 World Cup champion U.S. team and a defensive midfielder when the Americans defended their title in 2019.

She finishes her national team career with 20 goals. She started all 17 of her World Cup matches.

Ertz scored six goals in 95 games with the NWSL´s Chicago Red Stars from 2014-2021. She played in three games for Angel City this season with one goal.