CHICAGO — Chicago Red Stars defender Julie Ertz was named to Forbes Magazine’s “30 Under 30-Sports” list for 2019. 

Ertz had another banner year for club and country. She started in six of the seven games for the United States Women’s National Team during this summer’s FIFA World Cup. She scored the first tournament goal of her career in the group stage and lifted the World Cup Trophy for the second time in her career. Her play earned her a spot in the first-ever FIF Pro World XI. 

For Chicago, Ertz made 16 starts and played 1,440 minutes. She commandeered the Red Stars defense to five consecutive wins to close out the regular season. During that span, Ertz and the defense allowed only two goals, helping Chicago clinch a home semifinal. Against Portland, Ertz once again helped the defense keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 semifinal win as the Red Stars advanced to their first-ever NWSL Championship.

Off the pitch, Julie and husband Zach run the Ertz Family Foundation, which provides grants to charity organizations and offers tuition and cost coverage for Haitian orphans.