Another big name will be calling Los Angeles home this season.
Angel City made another high-profile acquisition on Monday morning, as they officially announce that they had signed USWNT midfielder Julie Ertz to a one-year contract. Ertz returns to professional soccer after a two-year hiatus in which she gave birth to her son.
Ertz is one of the most decorated and also one of the most famous players in women’s soccer. Ertz has earned 118 caps for the USWNT and scored 20 goals. Her presence, first at the Center Back position during the 2015 Women’s World Cup, then at the Central Defensive Midfield spot, has been instrumental in the USWNT’s run to back-to-back World Cup titles. Recently, Ertz returned to the national team for its two matches against Ireland and is racing to get back into game shape with the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand fast approaching.
After a standout college career at Santa Clara, Ertz had spent her entire professional career with the Chicago Red Stars. During her time in the Windy City, Ertz made 96 appearances for the Red Stars and won Rookie of the Year honors in 2014, made the NWSL best XI in 2015 and the second XI in 2017. Ertz’s presence in the midfield was instrumental in establishing Chicago as a regular playoff participant and in 2019, she helped Chicago reach the NWSL final for the first time.
Currently in its second season, Angel City is currently 1-1-1 through three games. After just missing out on the playoffs last year, Angel City has goals of postseason qualification this season, and the team has a lot of talent, particularly on offense, with players such as Savannah McCaskill, Jun Endo Claire Emslie and No.1 in overall pick Alyssa Thompson. Angel City is also expected to get back strikers Christen Press and Sydney Leroux later in the season. Ertz however is expected to provide Angel City with defense in the midfield position, which along with Dani Weatherholt’s play will free up McCaskill to be more of a central attacking midfielder, which is her best spot. Hints were given about Angel City possibly making another acquisition weeks ago when it acquired $70,000 in allocation money from Orlando Pride in exchange for an international roster spot.
Angel City opens up Challence Cup play on Wednesday night at home against OL Reign, though given the announcement of the signing, it is unlikely Ertz will play in that match though stranger things have happened. It is more likely that Ertz will play on Sunday evening against San Diego Wave FC, which would put her against fellow UWSNT teammate Alex Morgan.
Angel City FC
