Chicago Red Stars defender Julie Ertz experienced a meteoric rise this season. Whether for club or country, the 25 year old was simply phenomenal. Her incredible performances and sustained form earned Ertz the right to be called US Soccer’s Female Player of the Year for 2017.
This isn’t the first time the Arizona native received a prestigious award from U.S. Soccer. The central defender has the unique distinction of being the third player to be named the US Soccer Female Player of the Year and Young Female Player of the Year.
Ertz captured Young Female Player of the Year in 2012 when she captained the United States to the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup title.