CHICAGO — Defender Julie Ertz has won the 2020 Chicago Red Stars MVP Award, as voted on by Red Stars fans online. Ertz was nominated alongside teammates Sarah Gorden, Vanessa DiBernardo, Casey Short, Morgan Gautrat, and Kealia Watt.  

The reigning 2019 U.S. WNT Player of the Year, Ertz commandeered the Chicago defense to the NWSL Challenge Cup Championships, where she would captain the Red Stars in her second-consecutive championship game.  

Ertz played and started in six games at the tournament, helping the defense to consecutive shutouts in the final group stage game against the Utah Royals and the quarterfinal match victory over the OL Reign. Ertz would be the first player to step up during the quarterfinal penalty kick shootout, perfectly placing the ball past the goalkeeper as Chicago converted every penalty kick during the shootout.  

Ertz led the team in tackles per game twice and clearances per game in three games. She finished the tournament with 14 tackles and 22 clearances.