(Photo : Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Stina Blackstenius of Sweden and Julie Ertz of USA compete for the ball through the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia.
The subsequent FIFA World Cup for USA ladies’s nationwide crew may look a bit of totally different.
Aside from Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz is out for the following worldwide video games after hinting at retirement shortly after their defeat by the hands of Sweden.
The two-time reigning world champions fell brief throughout a heart-stopping penalty shootout to bow out of the competitors.
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Ertz felt emotional after the loss as a result of it might be her final sport for the nationwide crew.
“It’s an honor to represent this team, and I’m excited for the future of these girls.”
The @USWNT legend Julie Ertz speaks with @JennyTaft after the United States’ Round of 16 match 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Qc9G5jPTXy
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 6, 2023
“For me, it’s just emotional because it was probably my last game ever being able to have the honor to wear this crest,” Ertz stated throughout an interview with Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft.
“Penalties are the worst, but it’s an honor to represent this team and I’m excited for the future of the girls.”
The children might be alright
Ertz, 31, gave beginning to her son in August final yr. She made 122 appearances for the nationwide crew and scored 20 objectives.
She will go away a crew full of kids who, earlier than the Sweden match, obtained criticism for his or her lack of ardour.
Ertz is not fearful in regards to the future. She believes the youthful gamers will preserve the crew as contenders.
“The future is in absolutely great hands,” Ertz stated. “You know, sometimes you learn the most from your failures, which sucks. But it’s part of my career as well.”
Coach Vlatko Andonovski additionally felt harm in regards to the loss however saved his head excessive, believing the gamers would come out of it stronger.
“It’s a tough moment for them. It’s a tough moment for the staff, it’s a tough moment for everyone,” he stated.
“But in same time, I know that they will use this moment as a motivation, and not to go through the same thing ever again.”
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