U.S. Soccer Names Julie Ertz 2019 Female Player of the Year
December 13, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO - Chicago Red Stars defensive midfielder Julie Ertz has been voted the 2019 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, U.S. Soccer announced today. Ertz earns the honor following a dominating year both in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and for her country. This is the second U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year award for Ertz who also won in 2017.
This season in the NWSL, Ertz helped lead the Chicago Red Stars to their first Championship game following their victory in the playoff semifinal over Portland. She played every minute of 14 regular season starts and of both playoff matches, continually being recognized as one of the best players on the field. For her standout league performance, Ertz was named to the 2019 NWSL Best XI.
For the U.S. Women's National Team, Ertz ranked first among her teammates with 22 starts and recorded 1,755 minutes, the third-most on the team. The Mesa, Arizona native started in six games and logged 474 minutes during this summer's 2019 Women's World Cup, scoring a header against Chile in group play. Ertz lifted the World Cup trophy for the second time in her career and was named to the inaugural FIFA FIFPRO Women's World XI on Sept. 23.
"All of my teammates just had such an amazing year and we all know it takes an entire team to win a World Cup or have a successful club season," said Ertz in U.S. Soccer's release. "We are all a sum of the people around us, so I want to especially thank (my husband) Zach and my family, all my coaches for the National Team and the Red Stars, and all my teammates for their never-ending support. It's emotional to be recognized in this way and it's a cherry on top of a beautiful 2019. It's incredible."
Votes for U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year awards are collected from respective National Team coaches, National Team players who earned a cap in 2019, members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer Athletes' Council, National Women's Soccer League head coaches, select media members and former players and administrators. In addition, select college coaches vote for U.S. Soccer's Female Player of the Year award.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from December 13, 2019
- U.S. Soccer Names Julie Ertz 2019 Female Player of the Year - NWSL
- Julie Ertz Named 2019 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year - Chicago Stars FC
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