United States midfielder Julie Ertz. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Julie Ertz subs off field one last time in final career game

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 9/21/23

Following a long, storied career, U.S. women's national team icon Julie Ertz left the pitch for the final time on Thursday.

Subbed out during an international friendly with South Africa, Ertz received a nice ovation from the crowd at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati and, of course, her fair share of hugs.

Julie Ertz subs off for the final time.

An end to a remarkable career pic.twitter.com/qvc23R7r4b
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 22, 2023

A key contributor to the USWNT World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019, Ertz was an accomplished player in her own right, earning U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year honors twice (2017, 2019).

Ertz initially announced she was walking away from the game following the USWNT's shocking loss to Sweden in the World Cup round of 16 in August. She released a statement later that month to make it official, calling the opportunity to represent her country "the greatest honor."

At 31, Ertz decided to retire to spend more time with her family, not because her skills had diminished.

"I do feel like I can step away and be like, 'It's not because mama can't play, mama can play,'" Ertz said Wednesday, via the UWSNT. "Just adapted my priorities, and I think that just comes with age."

Ertz isn't the only USWNT standout ending their farewell tour this week. On Sunday, Megan Rapinoe will play her final international match against South Africa in Chicago at Soldier Field.

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