Eagles

Julie Ertz Retires

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Aug 31st, 2023 · 2:02 PM EDT

---

U.S. Soccer star Julie Ertz is calling it a career:

THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/GapGnMfSa5

— Julie Ertz (@julieertz) August 31, 2023

Julie Ertz, wife of Eagles Super Bowl champion Zach Ertz. Or Zach Ertz, husband of 2x World Cup winner Julie Ertz. Works either way, because they’re both superstars, probably the best Philadelphia athlete power couple of all time.

No, Ertz didn’t play in Philly, but we also haven’t had a women’s soccer team here in more than 10 years, so it’s more like an N/A on that front. But she really came in and embraced the city where Zach played. She contributed “bigly” to the Ertz family’s charity efforts in the region and became a Birds fan. One of the best clips in recent years is her reaction to the 2018 NFC Championship Game, which was being played at the same time as a USWNT game:

As soon as the whistle blew here in San Diego, we had some good news for @julieertz…💚🦅@ZERTZ_86 & the @Eagles are heading to the @SuperBowl! pic.twitter.com/dI5MvG53VR

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) January 22, 2018

Not sure how many Crossing Broad readers watched a lot of the U.S. Women over the years, but Ertz was really damn good. One of the best players in the world in her prime. Could play in the midfield or in defense, a versatile and tenacious player with a great engine. She had natural instincts and was excellent in the air, especially on set pieces. She was a gifted athlete and still is really. She’s only 31, and could have kept playing, but decided to hang it up.

My top three Philadelphia athlete power couples since 2000:

1. Julie and Zach Ertz
2. Lauren and Jrue Holiday
3. A.J. Feeley and Heather Mitts