Julie Ertz wore the captain’s armband for her 123rd and final appearance with the United States women’s national team on Thursday as the U.S. defeated South Africa 3-0 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ertz had her curtain call in the 36th minute as she was given a standing ovation and made way for Andi Sullivan. Before exiting the field, she hugged teammates, acknowledged the 22,016 fans and passed the armband off to Lindsey Horan.

Here were her final moments as a USWNT player.

United States women’s national team fans will be asking, “why did Julie Ertz retire?” after she plays her final game on Thursday.

Ertz, 31, showed at the 2023 Women’s World Cup that age isn’t slowing her down one bit as she played every minute in the tournament and was dominant in defense.  

The reason for her retirement? Spending time with family and raising her baby boy, Madden.

The September USWNT roster for two friendlies vs. South Africa was revealed on Tuesday with 27 players set to be in the national team camp. Each friendly will also serve as a farewell match for Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe.

Ertz will play her final game on Thursday, Sept. 21 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rapinoe’s last appearance for the national team will be Sunday, Sept. 24 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Here are the 27 players that USWNT interim head coach Twila Kilgore named to the roster.

We’re going to get to see Julie Ertz play for the United States women’s national team one last time. The 31-year-old midfielder/defender announced her retirement from the sport on Aug. 31 but will return for a send-off game.

When is Julie Ertz last game?

Ertz’s last game will on Thursday, Sept. 21 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz retired from professional soccer with an announcement on social media on Thursday.

"With immense emotion and processing, I've decided it is time to hang up the boots," the U.S. women's national team icon and longtime NWSL defender posted on social media.

THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/GapGnMfSa5

— Julie Ertz (@julieertz) August 31, 2023

Shortly before the USWNT debuts at the 2023 World Cup against Vietnam, the NWSL published a series of clips in which national players read send-off letters from their families.

And, as you can imagine, things got weepy. 

USWNT players get emotional

The letters were written by parents, siblings and partners of the players, sharing stories of their sacrifices, expressing their unconditional love, support and — of course — wishing them the World Cup title.