FanSided spoke with Julie Ertz on behalf of Abbott. Julie has teamed up with Abbott and the Real Madrid Foundation to Beat Malnutrition – they're raising awareness for the issue of childhood malnutrition and the importance of early screening. Real Madrid players and fans will be given a custom armband in Madrid this weekend to show support for the campaign.
The FIFA Women's World Cup begins this July 20 across 10 stadiums split between Australia and New Zealand and — shocker — Team USA will be represented.
The USWNT will enter the event as two-time reigning champions, capturing the 2015 and 2019 titles powered by tenacity, star power, and stalwart defenders who refuse to give an inch. That's where Julie Ertz comes in.
The 31-year-old star, who recently began a new leg of her professional journey with Angel City FC (part-owned by Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Mia Hamm, and a full rolodex of massive names), returned to the pitch in mid-April after nearly two years away from the game, following the birth of her son Madden and the resulting return-to-play training.
With rosters due on July 10, Ertz is up against a deadline for qualifying for this summer's tournament. The masses counted her out of action before her "stunning" return to the pre-World Cup roster at the end of March. Her Angel City coach believes Ertz will "absolutely" be ready — and so does Ertz herself.
"I think so, right? I mean, you have to be," Ertz told FanSided. "I definitely have enjoyed my process of getting there, and I feel good. Luckily, I think having the experience of that expectation of prior World Cups and where I need to be with soccer, fitness, mental, tactical … there are so many pieces, so I'm lucky to just have that in my back pocket."
USWNT star Julie Ertz believes — knows — she'll be ready for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
There might be added pressure on some champions to defend their titles — or complacency, if they're coming off two straight cups like the USWNT.
Instead, this unit is relaxed and confident; Ertz trusts her teammates to help the whole group maintain their trademark edge.
"It's kind of just part of the team, at this point," Ertz said. "Luckily, the team has been successful for a really long time, and when you have that expectation, you just learn how to deal with it. The whole point of our team is you're fighting for a spot all the time at practice. Every practice, every game, every match, you're constantly fighting for a spot. That being built into it is pressure in itself. You're playing with world-class players. You just are. All the time."
Hopefully, this year's batch of world-class players receives Ertz's trademark boost when the curtain rises on a three-peat opportunity.
