All signs pointed to a quick return to the NWSL after Julie Ertz made a surprising comeback with the USWNT, and on Monday we got confirmation of Angel City FC signing her to a one-year contract.
According to reports, the 31-year-old could make her club debut as early as Sunday when Angel City welcomes the San Diego Wave to BMO Stadium. Much like the USWNT, Angel City desperately needs some midfield reinforcement and the two-time World Cup winner is ready to answer the call.
"I am in a really good place," Ertz said. "The NWSL seasons are always long. The training always takes hard work, but I am enjoying the process of the grind again. I think because I have a refreshed perspective, I am starting at a really good place."
Get to know the newest member of #AngelCityFC, Julie Ertz. ¡Volemos! pic.twitter.com/WJHpGC8tcb
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) April 17, 2023
Ertz hasn't played a full NWSL season since 2019, when she led the Chicago Red Stars to the championship game. Ertz and Chicago then reached the Challenge Cup final in 2020, but she only made one appearance in 2021 before suffering a knee injury. In April 2022, Ertz and husband Zach announced they were expecting their first child and she gave birth in August.
But Ertz's winding professional journey suddenly took a much more definitive turn following her USWNT recall for a pair of April friendlies against Ireland. It immediately became clear she was targeting a place on this summer's World Cup squad in Australia and New Zealand.
.@julieertz pic.twitter.com/XL6WybMCNT
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 8, 2023
According to teammates, Ertz returned to the U.S. squad like she'd never left, and now she has two and a half months to fulfill a personal promise of not only getting back to the player she once was but of being even better.
We're excited to see Ertz linkup with 18-year-old phenom Alyssa Thompson, so be sure to watch Angel City vs. San Diego (Alex Morgan, Naomi Girma, Taylor Kornieck) on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
