Fansided

Julie Ertz’s husband wants goal celebrations no matter what the score is

By Clemente Lisi

REIMS, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Julie Ertz of the USA shoots the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
REIMS, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Julie Ertz of the USA shoots the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images) /
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Julie Ertz’s husband doesn’t think the USWNT celebrating goals is a bad thing, no matter what the score is.

Despite otherwise having total support from American sports fans, some had a problem with the USWNT celebrating their goals with gusto even after the score hit double digits against Thailand.

Julie Ertz’s husband is not among those saying it was in poor taste. Zach Ertz, who plays professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles, clapped back at those saying the USWNT should have eased off the celebrating in its 13-0 World Cup victory.

“First thought is the first tiebreaker in the World Cup group stage is the goal differential and so they would be sick to their stomach if they took their foot of the gas and for some reason finished second in the group based off goal differential,” Ertz said in an interview on Wednesday with NFL Network.

“The second, which is probably is the most underlining thing, when you’re on a good team the best way to build team chemistry is seeing other people as happy for your success as they are for their own. And seeing the girls celebrate they were for other people’s success really I thought was crucial for them long term. Because you see how close these girls were getting, these women were getting.”

The USWNT has come under fire since Tuesday’s game, where the Americans’ 13-0 rout of Thailand set a record for most goals in a single Women’s World Cup match. They were criticized for both running up the score and celebrating those goals, especially once the game was already lopsided, with too much gusto.

Ertz used the example of his own team, saying the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl run was, in part, fueled by similar team celebrations.

“I think you saw it a couple of years ago with us when we were celebrating,” he added. “We really were just building that team chemistry because everyone was bonding through those moments. Everyone was seeing how happy everyone was for another person’s success. I think that really speaks volumes about the camaraderie and team chemistry. So I had no issue with it obviously. I was actually for it.”

While striker Alex Morgan tallied five against Thailand, the goals also came from Mallory Pugh, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan and Sam Mewis, the quartet scoring their first-ever World Cup goals.

Next. USWNT had little choice but run up the score. dark

In an interview with ESPN, Morgan lashed out at the critics.

“These are goals we have dreamt of our entire life,” she said. “I mean, I’m going to celebrate Mal Pugh’s goal. I’m going to celebrate Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle. This is their first World Cup and I’m so proud of them. And I couldn’t have dreamt of scoring five goals in a World Cup. So it’s incredible for us all.”

The United States next plays Chile on Sunday in Paris. Ertz, currently in preseason camp with the Eagles, said he will fly to France to cheer for his wife.

“I’m just excited to go support my wife. I’ve seen the hard work that she’s put in these past four years getting back after a World Cup, after an Olympics,” he said. “All the adversity she’s faced throughout these past couple years. Just really thrilled to go over there and support here as a supporting husband.”