Julie Ertz says USWNT return ‘almost like a movie’

Vlatko Andonovski said Ertz “played with a smile on her face”

611 days after her last appearance, Julie Ertz is officially back in the mix for the U.S women’s national team.

Ertz made her return to the USWNT in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Ireland, entering as a 67th minute substitute. That ended a gap between games extending back to August 5, 2021, when she played in their bronze medal win over Australia at the Tokyo Olympics.

Since then, Ertz has become a mother, and for a spell seemed less than likely to actually return to the sport. She has been without a professional club for nearly a year and a half, and as recently as February, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski said the team didn’t expect to have her back in the fold in time for the World Cup.

Speaking to TNT’s post-game show, Ertz called her return “surreal,” adding that “it’s almost like a movie for me, just all these things coming together.”

Ertz told reporters earlier this week that her love of competition was the driving factor behind her return, and brought that factor up after the match. “It felt good to get the competitive juices going, and I’m just grateful,” said Ertz.

Andonovski, speaking to reporters after the match, said “I was happy for [Ertz], because she was happy. She played with a smile on her face,” adding that the coaching staff was offering extra help from the touchline.

“We were trying to direct her a little bit. She was getting a little bit off-script,” said Andonovski, adding that he felt that was “understandable” given how long she had been away from top-level soccer.

Asked for his analysis of her performance, Andonovski said the coaching staff is “happy where she’s at. We could see some really good stuff. We could see the true ‘JJ’ on the field, but also there were moments where I thought that she was rushing the pass and made a few mistakes… It’s understandable, without being in a game environment. So that’s why when we first announced [her return], we said that we’re going to be patient with her and give her just a little bit of time to incorporate herself back in the game.”

“I know time is of the essence,” said Ertz, who on top of playing herself back into roster contention has to settle negotiations with a club team (something Andonovski said was a requirement when she was called back up).

However, she said the quick one-two of friendlies in this window — the USWNT plays Ireland again on Tuesday in St. Louis — will help her shake off any rust by mimicking something she’s very familiar with. “This is just like how a World Cup is,” said Ertz. “It’s on to the next, it’s preparing, it’s watching film.”

In other words, Ertz is already back to business.

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