Julie Ertz returned to the USWNT in April for the primary time since August 2021. (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty Photos)

Accidents have taken a toll on the U.S. girls’s nationwide staff because the reigning world champions put together for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The roster is coming into form, and whereas a number of gamers are nonetheless working their means again to 100%, head coach Vlatko Andonovski has made it clear that he’ll take the perfect even when they’re not at their finest.

“What’s somebody’s finest and what’s somebody’s 80% or 90%?” he mentioned. “If any individual’s 80% or 90% is best than any individual else’s finest, then too unhealthy. Anybody that may assist us win the World Cup might be taken to the World Cup.”

So who’re these gamers? Simply Girls’s Sports activities is having a look at who’s making their  case for the World Cup. Subsequent up: Julie Ertz.

Julie Ertz

Place: Midfielder
Complete caps: 118
Most up-to-date USWNT look: April 11, 2023 vs. Eire (Worldwide pleasant)

What’s the case for Ertz on the USWNT roster?

Ertz made her return to the USWNT in April and virtually instantly made an affect. She seemed like she hadn’t missed any time with the staff, offering a lift in a midfield that has at instances struggled in her absence as gamers moved to fill the outlet she left.

The 31-year-old midfielder had been rehabbing a knee damage, after which she gave beginning to a child boy final August with husband Zach Ertz. She had not performed an NWSL match since Could 2021.

So her inclusion got here as a shock to just about everybody, as many had anticipated her to overlook this summer time’s match – particularly after coach Vlatko Andonovski mentioned in February that the staff was “in all probability not going to have the ability to rely on [her] within the World Cup.” However she did make her comeback, and it was a sight to behold.

Only a few USWNT gamers match the position of a real No. 6, and out of doors of Ertz, Andonosvki has been unable to discover a participant who can constantly maintain down the spot. Whereas Andi Sullivan has lined Ertz’s position to the perfect of her talents, having the ability to slot Sullivan alongside Ertz solely makes the USWNT higher, as each can give attention to their pure talent units.

Since making her USWNT return, Ertz has signed with Angel Metropolis FC and has been getting essential sport minutes within the NWSL, although there have been moments the place Ertz has lacked sharpness. In current appearances with Angel Metropolis, she’s scored one purpose whereas holding a 63.2% completion charge on passes. She had 10 interceptions every in matches in opposition to Portland and Washington however gained simply 40 p.c of her duels in these video games.

Even when Ertz isn’t again to full pace, although, Andonovski has hinted that he would come with her on the World Cup roster. That, mixed with Catarina Macario’s current withdrawal from USWNT consideration, makes Ertz a really seemingly alternative for a visit to Australia and New Zealand. And even with Ertz at 80%, the USWNT may not be capable of win the World Cup with out her.