Head coach Vlatko Andonovski, who took charge of the side in October 2019, has experimented with Andi Sullivan, Lindsey Horan and Kristie Mewis in the middle of the park with Sullivan being the closest to a midfield pivot and an attacking switch.

for the USWNTs upcoming training camp in April is out and theres one name dominating the conversations on Tuesday: Julie Ertz. Ertz was cleared by her personal physician, as well as the USWNT medical staff, allowing her to get the camp call-up. WebFacebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; TEMPE, Ariz. -- For the majority of their 4-year marriage, Zach and Julie Ertz didn't know what it was like to be a "normal married couple." Ertz added that taking a step away and having a new perspective has given me a new drive.. Still, the USWNT kept Ertz connected while she's trained away from a team environment. The 30-year-old said Tuesday that her body feels physically where it needs to be as the U.S. prepares to face Ireland in two friendlies slated for April 8 in Austin, Texas, and April 11 in St. Louis, Mo. Shes ready physically, shes ready mentally, shes excited to be back in the environment. ", Equal pay fight earns US soccer team USA TODAY's Women of the Year. 6 (Kornieck, then Sullivan). I loved the sport differently than I do now (after pregnancy) and that new perspective seems to have given me a new drive.. Less-challenging opponents also made it difficult to judge how well things really were working. However, it doesn't matter how often Zach wins. Were very well aware that were not going to be able to take players that are not able to play 90 minute games, or were not going to be able to do that with multiple players.. The rematch three days later brought change, but with a twist: Lavelle dropped deep alongside Sullivan to create a double pivot, and Ashley Sanchez took over the No. Angel City FC previously held her rights following a trade with the Red Stars). The team won the tournament, beating England in the final on March 7. And, at the end of the day, they want to go home to each other, talk about their day, make dinner and be together.

She had her first child with Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz in August 2022, further delaying her potential return. "Either way, I'm gonna end up doing the dishes," he said. Were gonna see Julie in camp and then well see how many minutes shes gonna get. 10 is a great solution to the USA's long-standing issues of breaking down teams that play low blocks. And for the first time in their relationship, the sense of anxiety they each experienced when the other needed to leave for an extended time to join their team happened only once, when Julie reported to the Chicago Red Stars for the start of training camp Feb. 1.

Kessie is committed to Barca, but are they committed to him? Yes and no. One myth about starting lineups is that a preferred XI never changes. There were times last fall when Julie Ertz would stare lovingly at Madden, the months-old baby boy resting in her arms, and wonder how the heck any new mom could ever return to work. "We kind of joked that we had a relationship with our phones because like, if it wasn't for FaceTime, I don't think it would make those days that we weren't together go by easier," Julie said. They had to rely on their phones to stay connected, texting all day, sometimes FaceTiming six or seven times a day. As we speak, I believe shes in negotiations with a team or teams, and pretty soon, well have news on that front, as well.. Were gonna see Julie in camp, and then well see how many minutes shes gonna get, he said. Ive been blessed to be able to go to a few and I enjoyed that process, but I knew it wasnt going to be easy, so I just kind of tried to enjoy it step by step and it was a possibility. That didn't always go well. Zach Ertz and Julie Ertz are officially parents! The roster for the friendlies will have Megan Rapinoe out with a leg injury while winger Sophia Smith returns after recuperating from an ankle injury. Theyve really inspired me and Im sure theyve inspired other moms as well, Ertz said. And we talked about everything like having a baby, how it works logistically and making sure my familys there. What followed was a poor first half from the U.S. in which Kornieck and fellow midfielder Lindsey Horan pulled wide far too often, leaving the U.S. without central options to build its attack. The year is now 2023, the World Cup is less than six months away and U.S. women's national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski is still answering the question: When will midfielder Julie Ertz return to the team? ", Eagles eager to lock in Hurts long term Ertz is back in camp with the U.S. for a pair of exhibition matches against Ireland, the teams last international games before Coach Vlatko Andonovski names his 23-player roster for the games biggest tournament this summer in Australia and New Zealand. Away from obviously coming back for pregnancy changes things obviously, with your body, she said. Her mindset is superb,Andonovski told reporters. She trained with a personal high performance coach, with a personal technical coach, and was up to the level that a lot of professional players were trainingsometimes even harder.. Ive been training hard, excited to see where Im at physically and getting better each day. So what does Julie think Zach is better than her at?

Her experience on-and-off the field is a benefit to only Andonovski and his coaching staff, but to the younger players in the USWNT squad that are trying to earn their own spot on the World Cup roster this summer. They don't race to see who can fold the most socks in five minutes, but Julie said she's the better cleaner and makes the bed better. But taking a step away and kind of having a new perspective has given me kind of like a new drive.. For Ertz, the battle will be an uphill one with the friendlies (against Ireland) being the only window for her to re-establish her dominance in the middle of the park. He will announce the roster next week. 6. Julie Ertz has been named to the U.S. roster for a pair of upcoming matches against Ireland after taking time off for the birth of her son. Stats predict which Prem teams will improve, bronze medal-winning victory over Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, USWNT start World Cup year on the right foot vs. New Zealand, but are still figuring themselves out, NWSL 2023 draft brings big trades, last-minute deals and a fresh start, The USWNT players who must step up with the Women's World Cup 6 months away, an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Sweden to open that tournament. Ertz said she also was inspired by her husband, a 10-year NFL veteran. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. U.S. Soccer plans to honor Ertzs 100th cap ahead of the first game in Austin, and while traditionally that means a player starts as the USWNTs captain, at least one player has previously been honored while unable to take the field due to injury (Ali Krieger). To prepare for her return, she trained with an MLS Academy boys team as well as personal coaches. Obviously coming back from pregnancy changes things, obviously your body. As we speak, I believe, shes in negotiation with a team and or teams, and pretty soon Im sure well have news on that front as well., Sign up for the Pro Soccer Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Ertz says she's "in communication" with club teams as she trains with the USWNT, The home kit is inspired by the abstract expressionism movement, which includes artists like Jackson Pollock, One of the NWSL's biggest names will hang up her boots this winter. They had two training tables in the corner. Biggest bans: Suarez bite, Cantona kung fu kick eclipse Mitrovic's ref shove, LIVE Transfer Talk: Liverpool turn to Caicedo to fix midfield, 110 days later: Derby's bizarre midmatch restart 3 months after violent pitch invasion, How a group of local USWNT legends powered NWSL's Bay Area venture, Chelsea, Felix frustrated by Liverpool as both teams' top four hopes take another hit, Chelsea's uninspiring play against Liverpool just adds urgency to coach search, The inside story of why Chelsea sacked Graham Potter, 2023 Women's World Cup Nike kits rated: USWNT, England, more. I'm fine sitting in like silence with him and I feel like that's when you know you're just super comfortable. Their respective careers -- Zach a tight end with the Arizona Cardinals and Julie a defender for the U.S. women's national team and most recently the But overall, I feel like being in this environment, the game and really the mental side has always been the hardest section, especially being with such elite players day in and day out. I just feel like theres always room for improvement. Nothing is going to be given, said Andonovski. And just the journey of that process has already been really rewarding, she said. Ertz has not played for the United States since the bronze medal-winning victory over Australia at the Tokyo Olympics just over 600 days ago. The Philadelphia Eagles tight-end, 31, and his professional soccer player wife, 30, welcomed a baby boy, Madden Matthew. Ertz said she had leaned on the experience of her international teammates, who are also moms in navigating her return. But all available evidence suggests that Andonovski and the U.S. need to -- and are -- preparing for a 2023 World Cup without Ertz, arguably the most irreplaceable player from the 2019 World Cup-winning squad. Should Ertz play in the first match, it would mark her first competitive action for the USWNT or a professional club in 612 days. Nothing is going to be given.. "It's been a little bit different from game to game. She looks like she has a renewed sense of energy, forward Sophia Smith said. There's a natural competitiveness constantly floating between them. I have to work out details in regards to my club situation, but I am very thankful to Zach, my family, and U.S. Soccer for the amazing support they have provided to get me back to this point. Both Horan and Lavelle have continued to blossom into key leaders and performers with the USWNT over the years, and Ertzs return could see Andonovski shake up the tactics to get the best from his players. 10 (Rose Lavelle), a two-way No. "No, that is not true," Zach said. Andonovski said he will use this camp and the NWSL season to evaluate players before finalizing his World Cup squad. I am going into this camp the same way I always have, to compete with the best women in the world.. Zach had ankle surgery in early January and Julie tore her MCL in mid-May during the first half of the Red Stars' season opener -- nine-and-a-half weeks before the Olympics opener. Sullivan is more of a deep-lying, distributing defensive midfielder than she is destroyer, the latter of which is a defining characteristic of Ertz's game. Usa 's long-standing issues of breaking down teams that play low blocks baby, how it works logistically and sure! 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Her most recent game for the USWNT came in the bronze-medal match at the Tokyo Games in August 2021, and she hasnt played in the NWSL since her knee injury to start the 2021 How an earthquake and nuclear disaster led one player to the World Cup and NWSL, Source: Messi move to Saudi increasingly likely, Sources: Luis Enrique in London for Chelsea talks, Lukaku reps demand action after racist incident, Sources: Mike Dean dropped from VAR selection, Liverpool condemn 'vile chants' at Stamford Bridge, Madrid-bound Endrick: Don't compare me to Pele, Ceferin re-elected UEFA president for third term, Sources: Chelsea eye 7 coaches to replace Potter, Freiburg dump Tuchel's Bayern from German Cup. Megan Rapinoe missed the opening weekend of the NWSL season due to a calf injury, which also kept her out of this training camp roster. We know the quality of the player that shes [been], and that if she comes anywhere near her best, that she will certainly help us win a World Cup, said Andonovski on the recall. "And, unfortunately, we've gotten good at it.". "And, so, I think it's just rewarding to just be able to come home and know that regardless of what's going on in life, in football, that you have someone that's always going to be in your corner, regardless. The question is who has the roster space, the money and the attractiveness as a destination for Ertz, who has been training in the Phoenix area where her husband Zach plays for the Arizona Cardinals. Heres what you need to know: U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 3, 2023, On the same day that Ertz was announced as part of the upcoming USWNT friendly roster in Austin,Angel City traded the Orlando Pride an international roster spot for $70,000 allocation money. I also have to say, weve been very pleased with Andi Sullivan and her progression, so Julie coming in doesnt mean that everyone moves on the side and Julie gets into that spot. Within a couple of weeks of quarantining with each other in 2020, Zach and Julie quickly figured out they needed a workout routine. Many assumed Mewis would be back in time to play a role at the World Cup, but now that appears to be in doubt. Ertz announced her pregnancy on April 4, 2022, and up until now has not signed with any club. For the Ertzes, though, having someone at home who understands what the other is going through and "gets the whole picture," Julie said, is great. Viewing the problems through that lens remains counterproductive, however.

Once [Ertz] got cleared from from her physician, our medical staff was able to clear her, and we established that shes ready to join us in camp, and thats why she got the invite, explained Andonovski. Catarina Macario still isnt ready to make her return to the USWNT. What now? Increasingly, the World Cup reality for the U.S. women's national team looks like the one that has been present for a year now. I do not want to be the player I was before because I want to be better. And anyone who has gone through that process of having a kid and coming back to work, its a challenging, and I would say extremely emotional.. I think its easy to look ahead and always be like, yeah, going to World Cup is amazing, but its not as easy as said. Ertzs NWSL rights were traded to Angel City FC before the 2022 NWSL expansion draft, but as she was out of contract, she has never been on the LA-based clubs roster.