Julie Ertz

Julie Beth Ertz (Johnston; born April 6, 1992) is an American former professional soccer player.

The Johnston sisters played for Sereno Soccer Club in Phoenix; Julie played for the 1992 side and Melanie played for the 1990s.

Regarding Julie's switch to the team, Ertz stated that "it ended up being the best decision [she's] ever made."

Sereno was a nationally known club with alumni that have gone on to play in college, on professional teams and for national teams.

Ertz played with the team from 2004 to 2010 on the U13 through U19 teams.

She won the state title nine times during her time there and was captain of the team.

Ertz attended Dobson High School in Mesa from 2006 to 2010, where she volunteered as a student athletic trainer all four years.

She never played for the soccer team at the school, instead opting to devote her time to playing for Sereno.

While at Dobson, Ertz was a member of the National Honor Society.

Ertz attended Santa Clara University, where she majored in communications and played as a midfielder for the Broncos women's soccer team.

Ertz played collegiate soccer with the Santa Clara University Broncos from 2010 to 2013.

In 2010, as a college freshman, she played in 20 games, starting 16 and accumulating 1,519 minutes of playing time.

At the end of the season, she led the team in assists with five and recorded the third-most shots on the team with 31.

She was named WCC Freshman of the Year and received NSCAA All-West Region Second-Team, Soccer America All-Freshman First-Team, All-WCC Second-Team, and WCC All-Freshman team honors.

As a sophomore in 2011, Ertz started all 21 games with nine goals and four assists for the Broncos.

She scored four game-winning goals in matches away to Cal Poly, and at home to Washington State, California and Nevada.

She was a WCC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist and was named to the NSCAA All-American First-Team as well as the All-WCC First-Team.

In 2012, which was her junior year, Ertz started 14 of the 15 games she played and led the Broncos with eight goals and was second on the team with five assists.

She scored three game-winning goals and recorded an assist in the first round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament in a match against Long Beach State.

She was subsequently named to the All-WCC First Team and NCAA Division I Women All-West Region First Team.

She was a MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist and was named U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year.

A member of the United States women's national team from 2013 to 2023, she first appeared for the United States national team during an international friendly against Scotland on February 9, 2013, eventually making 123 total appearances for the team.

In 2013, Ertz played in 22 games and led the team with eight assists and four game-winning goals.

She made a total of 12 goals in the season and recorded an assist in the first round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament in a match against University of California at Berkeley.

At the end of the season, she was named to the NSCAA All-American First Team, NSCAA All-West Region First Team, All-WCC First Team and College Sports Madness All-WCC First Team.

She was also named WCC Player of the Year and College Sports Madness WCC Player of the Year.

Overall, Ertz made 79 appearances and scored 31 goals with the Broncos.

From 2014 to 2021, she played for National Women's Soccer League club Chicago Red Stars, and in 2023 she played for Angel City FC.

Following her collegiate career, Ertz was selected third overall by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2014 NWSL College Draft that took place on January 17, 2014.

On January 17, 2014, Ertz was selected third overall in the first round of the 2014 NWSL College Draft by the Chicago Red Stars.

She subsequently signed with the team for the 2014 season.

Ertz helped the United States win their titles at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

At 23, she was the second youngest member of the 2015 team behind 22-year-old Morgan Brian.

The United States went on to the World Cup final.

Ertz played every minute of all seven games of the tournament and was subsequently named to the FIFA Women's World Cup All-Star Team.

After the 2023 World Cup, Ertz retired from international soccer.

After moving to center midfield for club and country in 2017, Ertz was awarded U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Ertz was again nominated for U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2018 and won the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2019.

Born in Mesa, Arizona, to Kristi and David Johnston, Ertz was raised with her sister Melanie Johnston.

Julie was introduced to soccer through her local AYSO region.