Julie Ertz thanks the crowd after the second game of the USWNT Victory Tour against Portugal on Aug. 29, 2019 in Philadelphia.
One of America’s biggest sports super couples is about to become a sports super family.
U.S. women’s soccer team star Julie Ertz and husband Zach Ertz, a tight end for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, announced Monday that they are expecting their first child.
“Adding to our starting lineup…Baby Ertz!” they posted to their Instagram accounts, along with photos showing off the happy couple and Julie’s baby bump.
The couple began dating in 2016 and married one year later, though with their respective sports schedules they’ve often found themselves on opposite ends of the country — if not the world.
Julie Ertz, 29, has been a foundational member of the U.S. women’s soccer team for the last several years. An Arizona native, Ertz (nee Johnston) broke into the national team in early 2013 and went on to play a key role as a central defender for the Americans at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, which the U.S. won.
Later, and upon transitioning to a central midfield role, Ertz was again instrumental as the team successfully defended that title at the 2019 World Cup. She also won her first Olympic medal with Team USA this past year in Tokyo, when the squad claimed the bronze.
Zach Ertz, meanwhile, has been one of the NFL’s most prolific tight ends. He made three Pro Bowls during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, and in 2018 set a record for most receptions by a tight end in a single season with 116. The prior season, he helped the Eagles win their Super Bowl.
After eight and a half seasons in Philadelphia, Zach Ertz, 31, was traded to the Cardinals midway through the 2021 season and recently re-signed there.
Outside of her national team duties, Julie Ertz is a member of Angel City FC, a new NWSL team based in Los Angeles. However, after being injured in early 2021 she hasn’t played in a competitive game since the Olympics and it’s unclear whether she will play this season.
Chrös McDougall #
Chrös McDougall has covered the Olympic and Paralympic Movement for TeamUSA.org since 2009 on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc. He is based in Minneapolis-St. Paul.