Will USWNT stars Alex Morgan and Julie Ertz play against Spain?

COMMERCE CITY, CO - APRIL 04: United states forward Alex Morgan (13) celebrates with United states midfielder Julie Ertz (8) and United states forward Crystal Dunn (19) after scoring her 100th international goal in game action during an International friendly match between the United states and Australia on April 4, 2019, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Injured USWNT stars Alex Morgan and Julie Ertz have been cleared to play for Monday’s Round of 16 clash against Spain.

USWNT fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

Striker Alex Morgan and midfielder Julie Ertz are now injury-free and “fine” to face Spain on Monday at the Women’s World Cup, coach Jill Ellis told reporters on Sunday.

“Alex is fine, she’s fine,” Ellis said during a news conference in Reims, France.

Asked about Ertz later on during the news conference, Ellis, who did not provide details, gave the same answer: “She is fine.”

The United States play Spain on Monday in the Round of 16 after going a perfect 3-0 during the group stage, scoring a record 18 goals and conceding none.

Morgan opened her World Cup in Reims with a five-goal game against Thailand in the U.S.’s record-setting 13-0 win. Ellis rested Morgan, and six other starters, in the team’s 3-0 victory against Chile in Paris. Morgan came off at halftime in the third game against Sweden for what Ellis called a “knock.”

Ertz started against both Thailand and Chile (she scored against the South Americans), but did not play in the final group-stage match in Le Havre. The team said Ertz had been rested following a hip injury.

Ellis gave no indication whether Morgan and Ertz would start against Spain. This U.S. team’s roster depth has allowed Ellis to rest players, giving all 20 field players minutes during the opening round.

Morgan is likely to start up top alongside Megan Rapinoe and Ton Heath. Ellis also has the option of starting veteran forward Carli Lloyd should she decide to mix it up.

As for Ertz, Ellis has to decide whether to deploy her as a defender or in the midfield, which has been doing very well at this tournament thanks to the trio of Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis. It should be noted that the hulking Ertz adds a physicality that can be intimidating to opposing strikers.

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Should the USWNT win, they would face the winner of France-Brazil in a quarterfinal set for this Friday at the Parc des Princes in Paris.