Julie Ertzand said goodbye to the women’s national team USA with a 3-0 win over South Africa in a friendly in Cincinnati. The two-time World Cup champion (2015, 2019) left in the 35th minute to a standing ovation, shortly after the United States trailed 2-0. Ertz, who debuted for the US in 2013, finished with a 101-17-5 record in 123 international matches and was twice named US Soccer Player of the Year (2017, 2019).
Lynn Williams scored two goals for the United States, playing in its first game since losing to Sweden on penalties on Aug. 6 in the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup. It was the first time the four-time champions did not reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Ertz took 18 months off after the 2021 Olympics due to injuries and the birth of her son, but played every minute of all four World Cup matches. Shortly after the tournament, Twila Kilgore was named interim coach following the resignation of Vlatko Andonovski.
The Cincinnati game was intended to honor Ertz, who announced his retirement on August 31. He wore a captain’s armband and his teammates tried to get the midfielder to score his 21st goal, when didn’t succeed, even though it was close.
In the 18th minute, Ertz headed a corner kick that Lindsey Horan took over the crossbar. Three minutes later, her header from the other corner was easily saved by Kaylin Swart. Williams scored in the 32nd minute and Trinity Rodman made it 2-0 in the 34th, leading to the final substitution of Ertz. Williams got his double in the 41st minute.
Ertz will miss the game against South Africa in Chicago on Sunday in another emotional farewell as Megan Rapinoe plays her final game for the United States. The Ballon d’Or will complete his season with NWSL side OL Reign before retiring.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
