U.S. player Julie Ertz announced her retirement from professional soccer at the age of 31, bringing an end to her decade-long career in which she won two World Cup titles.

Ertz helped the U.S. become world champions in 2015 in Canada after bursting onto the international scene as a center-back and then in 2019 in France as one of the best defensive midfielders.

Making her comeback to professional soccer earlier this year after giving birth to her son last August, Ertz competed at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, playing every minute of their four matches as the U.S. suffered a shock last-16 exit.

Ertz had hinted at her retirement after their penalty shoot-out loss to Sweden at the World Cup, telling reporters it was likely her final match for the four-time world champions.

She made the decision official on Thursday, with governing body U.S. Soccer releasing a statement.

“As an athlete, you’re always singularly focused on the next goal, the next tournament and rarely do you get time to reflect on your career,” Ertz said. “However, over the past couple of months, my heart has been filled with gratitude as I’ve thought about the amazing experiences soccer has given me.

“I’ve been blessed to meet and train with some of the best and most inspirational women I’ve ever been around, and I’ve experienced different cultures while traveling the world to compete at the highest level.

“I gave everything I had to the sport that I love. With that, I can walk away with no regrets because while I gave soccer every ounce of myself, soccer gave me even more, and for that, I’ll always be thankful.”

Ertz walks away from the sport having made 122 appearances for the U.S., which included 17 World Cup games. She won the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year award in 2017 and 2019.

Club Career

Ertz spent the majority of her professional club career for the Chicago Red Stars, spanning almost 100 games from 2014 to 2021. With the Red Stars, Ertz was a two-time NWSL Championship runner-up.

She took an 18-month break after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to injuries and the birth of her son before returning to the NWSL in 2023 with Angel City FC.

Ertz played seven matches for Angel City before the World Cup, all starts, while scoring one goal. She will not return to the Los Angeles-based club for the remainder of the NWSL season.

Dynamic Style

Known for her versatility, Ertz was a fan favorite for her dynamic style of play which featured crunching tackles and dominant aerial presence.

She also impressed fans with her goal-scoring abilities, finding the net 20 times for the U.S. – many off set plays — while playing in the back or at defensive midfield.

Ertz’s 20 goals came against 15 different opponents: three against New Zealand, two against South Korea, Brazil and Colombia, and one each against France, Ireland, Haiti, Canada, Jamaica, Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, Denmark, and Japan.

She retires as one of a few players who also won a youth World Cup, with the under-20s in 2012.