The U.S. Women’s National Team has already started its transition to a younger nucleus, but the status of some of its veteran stars — including forward Alex Morgan and midfielder Julie Ertz — might expedite everything.
After the United States lost to Sweden, 5-4, on penalties in the Women’s World Cup Round of 16, Morgan and Ertz were both asked about their USWNT futures.
Morgan provided an unclear answer, while Ertz admitted Sunday was likely her final game with the national team.
“It’s tough,” Ertz said. “Obviously, we’re proud of the way that we played, but we didn’t put anything in the back of the net. The penalties was tough as well. For me, it’s just emotional because it’s probably my last game ever being able to have the honor to wear this crest.”
Morgan, though, said she’d been focused on the 2023 Women’s World Cup and just wanted to return to San Diego, complete her NWSL season and “go from there.”
But Morgan and Ertz are just two of the veterans who might’ve played their final World Cup for the USWNT.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who even scored a goal Sunday during penalty kicks, and Kelley O’Hara are 35 years old, while Megan Rapinoe, at 38, previously announced that this World Cup would mark her final one after two titles in 2015 and 2019.
Ertz, who gave birth to her first child after the Olympics and hadn’t played for the national team in 20 months before the World Cup, has 122 caps since making her USWNT debut in 2013 against Scotland.
If Sunday was her final match, Ertz will finish with 20 goals and six assists.
“It’s just tough,” Ertz said. “And I feel like it’s just an emotional time. It absolutely sucks. Penalties are the worst. But it’s an honor to represent this team and I’m excited for the future of the girls.”
Morgan had chances to score throughout Group E play, but the forward, who scored six times en route to the USWNT’s 2019 World Cup title, was held without a goal.
And when Morgan, Ertz and others end up retiring and move on, which Ertz said reflects an important part of recognizing they only “rent these jerseys,” players such as Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman will serve as the next generation of players tasked with keeping the national team relevant despite its early exit.
Smith scored two goals in the USWNT’s first victory against Vietnam, which led to Morgan tweeting afterward that Smith was “THAT girl.”