7 Things You Need to Know about Julie Ertz

Julie Ertz — formerly Johnston — is a true superstar on the USWNT roster, and that blue pre-wrap headband is iconic. To show our love for the U.S. Women’s centerback, here are seven facts about Julie Ertz. 

Born and raised in the desert

Ertz is from the Grand Canyon, specially Mesa, Arizona. During her childhood in the 48th state, Ertz started her soccer career in AYSO, like so many of us. At age 12 she joined the Phoenix club soccer, Sereno, where she played from 2004 until 2010. Rather than joining the soccer team at her alma mater, Dobson High School, Ertz stayed committed to only club ball until she went off to college.

A family affair

Julie has one sibling, an older sister named Melanie. Both sisters played for Sereno during their youth, and if not for Melanie, Julie might have never started playing. Melanie is a regular guest star in Julie’s Instagram feeds, particularly her #TBT posts. 

Wedding bells 

In 2017, Julie Johnston became Julie Ertz when she married her college sweetheart, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. The two met in college and got engaged in 2016, when Zach popped the question in front of friends and family at the Stanford University stadium, where they first met. 

Charity starts at home 

In 2018 Julie and Zach founded the Ertz Family Foundation, a charitable organization that helps globally. The focus of this foundation is to improve community, family, and education for struggling areas. In addition, being that the foundation heads are both pro athletes, they also work toward creating opportunities in sports and athletics for those who don’t have them. 

A total foodie 

Julie Ertz, being an Arizona native, loves Mexican food — especially steak burritos and tacos. Ertz is also very in tune with her body, being that it’s a big part of her job. This has led Ertz to becoming a lover of snacks and cooking. She is constantly snacking on healthy treats, like almonds and other nuts, to fuel her body during training.

Instagram girl  

If you take a look through Julie’s Instagram you’ll see not a small amount of sponsors to go along with her posts. Secret deodorant, Mango Board, Chipotle, and Tiesta Tea have all been featured in branded posts on her page. This is an athlete with killer skills and business savvy! 

Player of the Year(s) 

After her performances with the Chicago Red Stars and the USWNT Ertz was honored with the 2019 U.S Female Soccer Player of the Year award. In fact, this was the second time that Ertz won this particular title, having clinched it for the first time in 2017. She is a fierce competitor both domestically and on the international scale, and she’s got the trophies to prove it. 

Julie Ertz is a name that will undoubtedly go down in history as a top tier soccer player, but she’s also a lover of food, family, and doing good in the world. 

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