Failure is Not the End: Julie Ertz Announces Retirement after the U.S. Women's National Team Loses the 2023 World Cup

           “Sometimes you learn the most from your failures…” declared Julie Ertz, a professional soccer player who plays for the National Women's Soccer League club Angel City FC and the United States women's national team. She’s also the author of the inspirational book, “Chase Your Dreams: How Soccer Taught Me Strength, Perseverance and Leadership”.
            Julie has been playing professionally since 2014, won U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2017 and 2019 and was part of two World Cup-winning sides in 2015 and 2019.
           However, after having been out of the league and not playing for two years due to injuries and then the birth of her son Madden in August 2022, she has had many challenges to overcome to get back into top playing shape in order to be ready to compete in the 2023 World Cup.
            Earlier this season, the United States Women’s National team, managed by Vlatko Andonovski, decided to focus on its youngest of players which include Naomi Girma (23) and Sophia Smith (22). This leaves eldest player Megan Rapinoe (38) left with minimal involvement. Fortunately, Ertz went on to strike up a hugely effective partnership alongside Naomi Girma, with the U.S. conceding just one goal in four matches during the 2023 FIFA World Cup Tournament. But it wasn’t enough.
            After the United State lost 5-4 to Sweden due to penalties in the Women’s World Cup Round of 16, forward Alex Morgan (34) and Julie Ertz (31) were both asked about their USWNT futures.
            “It’s probably my last game ever being able to have the honor to wear this crest”, announced Julie.
            This all falls on the heels of the announcement Megan Rapinoe made before the season even began that she would be retiring herself at the end of the 2023 season.
            This undoubtedly means that next year the U.S. Women’s National Team will look very different. But fortunately, just like with the birth of Julie’s son Madden, not all changes are bad and changes in the game plan certainly don't make one a failure.
            Because as Ertz has said, “Sometimes you learn the most from your failures…The future is in absolutely great hands.”