As the U.S. women's soccer team heads into Concacaf's 2019 Women's World Cup qualifying tournament this week, Julie Ertz insists she isn't thinking ahead.
She insists her mind isn't drifting toward France, which will host next year's spectacle. Or the win-and-clinch-a-berth semifinal in the qualifying tournament.
Right now, Ertz's mind is only on Thursday's group stage opener against Mexico (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports 2 and Univision Deportes). It will be the U.S.' first game since the 2016 Olympics that has real stakes. Panama and Trinidad & Tobago are also in the group.
"We really don't talk about games ahead," she said.