Julie Ertz has said that her decision to retire at age 31 stemmed from wanting to spend as much time as possible with her family.
Ertz announced her retirement last month, and has been called into the U.S. women’s national team one last time ahead of a farewell match against South Africa on Thursday.
Before playing the final game of her career, Ertz spoke to the media on Wednesday and explained why she called it quits less than a year before the Olympics, and with plenty left in the tank.
“This sport takes sacrifice,” Ertz said. “And I think time with my family is just irreplaceable, especially with where Madden is and his age.”
Ertz made a surprise return to the field this April after nearly two years away, having taken an extended break from the sport following the birth of her son Madden in August 2022.
Despite her time away from soccer, Ertz still played every minute of the 2023 World Cup, moving back to defense and anchoring a back line that was the bright spot in an otherwise disappointing tournament for the USWNT.
Ertz said she was happy to be able to step away from the game knowing she is still good enough for the USWNT, rather than being forced out.
“Your whole career as an athlete, you’re like, ‘I just don’t want to regret anything,'” Ertz said. “And I think you just want to get to a point to be able to choose myself when I could step away.
“I do feel like I can step away and be like, ‘It’s not because mama can’t play — mama can play. She has just adapted my priorities.’ I think that just comes with age.”
Still, Ertz said that Thursday will be an emotional evening as she says farewell to an 10-year professional career.
“I’m so grateful to have this last game to just close the chapter and say bye,” Ertz said. “I feel like if I retired five years ago, if I retired in 10 years, the day that you choose [to leave] the sport that you know your whole life, it’s just a sad day.”
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