Emotional

United States women’s national team fans will be asking, “why did Julie Ertz retire?” after she plays her final game on Thursday.

Ertz, 31, showed at the 2023 Women’s World Cup that age isn’t slowing her down one bit as she played every minute in the tournament and was dominant in defense.  

The reason for her retirement? Spending time with family and raising her baby boy, Madden.

Tottenham Hotspurs' misfiring forward Richarlison said he will seek psychological help on his return to England after shedding tears when he was substituted during Brazil's 5-1 thrashing of Bolivia last Friday.

The 26-year-old Brazilian was photographed crying on the bench after being taken off 71 minutes into the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Belem.

| Richarlison in tears after being substituted last night. pic.twitter.com/3Fi8EEAuMb

The September USWNT roster for two friendlies vs. South Africa was revealed on Tuesday with 27 players set to be in the national team camp. Each friendly will also serve as a farewell match for Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe.

Ertz will play her final game on Thursday, Sept. 21 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rapinoe’s last appearance for the national team will be Sunday, Sept. 24 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Here are the 27 players that USWNT interim head coach Twila Kilgore named to the roster.

We’re going to get to see Julie Ertz play for the United States women’s national team one last time. The 31-year-old midfielder/defender announced her retirement from the sport on Aug. 31 but will return for a send-off game.

When is Julie Ertz last game?

Ertz’s last game will on Thursday, Sept. 21 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Two-time World Cup champion Julie Ertz retired from professional soccer with an announcement on social media on Thursday.

"With immense emotion and processing, I've decided it is time to hang up the boots," the U.S. women's national team icon and longtime NWSL defender posted on social media.

THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/GapGnMfSa5

— Julie Ertz (@julieertz) August 31, 2023

The United States women’s national team will bid farewell to one of its biggest stars in September as Megan Rapinoe will play her final game.

When is Rapinoe's last game for USWNT?

Rapinoe’s farewell will be a friendly match against South Africa on Sept. 24 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The game is the second of two friendlies that the USWNT will play against South Africa. Rapinoe won’t feature in the first game in Cincinnati on Sept. 21.

SYDNEY — Alessia Russo's second-half goal lifted England to a thrilling 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Colombia on Saturday and into the Women's World Cup semifinals for the third consecutive time.

Lauren Hemp also scored for the European champions, who now face hosts Australia on Wednesday in Sydney for a place in their first World Cup final.

"It's exciting, what more do you want in front of a home crowd?" Russo, who was named player of the match, told ITV. "We got a bit of that tonight against Colombia. You want to play against the best teams.

AUCKLAND — Pictures of Sweden fullback Jonna Andersson taking time out from celebrating her side's 2-1 World Cup quarterfinal victory over Japan to comfort Maika Hamano have spread quickly online as the pair's club connections became a talking point.

Hamano plays for Andersson's former club Chelsea, but the 19-year-old Japanese forward has spent the current season at the Swede's current club Hammarby in Stockholm.

MADRID — Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be sidelined for several months as he requires surgery after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Thursday's training session, the LaLiga club said.

The 31-year-old Belgian international left the practice field in tears and an MRI scan confirmed the ACL tear two days ahead of Real's LaLiga season debut at Athletic Bilbao.