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5 USWNT players who have played their last game and who will replace them

By Caden Charpentier

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA misses her team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA misses her team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) /
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Julie Ertz #8 of the United States reacts to loosing during the penalty kick shootout during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and the United States at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Julie Ertz #8 of the United States reacts to loosing during the penalty kick shootout during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and the United States at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images for USSF) /

3. Julie Ertz

USWNT Replacement: Sam Coffey

Julie Ertz embodies the word toughness. For her to make it on the team, and perform the way she did during this tournament is a testament to her work ethic and belief. In August of 2022, Ertz gave birth to her first child. Months later, the United States No. 8 suited up and performed sensationally against the best of the best around the world.

The center-back/defensive midfielder confirmed to ESPN following the interview with FOX Sports postgame that she plans to retire from the USWNT after 122 appearances for the Stars and Stripes. She said she wants her legacy to be the “grit” she brought to the table day in and day out. Not only will she go down in U.S. soccer history for her tenacity, but as one of the greatest defensive-minded players to have played for this legendary team. In order to replace relentlessness, you have to find someone that has demonstrated that same sort of trait. The NWSL has just the right kind of player.

Sam Coffey, the Portland Thorns’ defensive midfielder is the perfect replacement for a player like Ertz. Many believed that Coffey should have been given more of a shot to make this World Cup roster, but now with Ertz out of the picture, she’ll get the chance. The 24-year-old from New York was named to the NWSL’s Best XI in her first season in the league. Coffey earned her first cap with the U.S. senior team in September 2022 in a 2-1 win over Nigeria.

The Thorns’ midfielder is an incredibly intelligent distributor of the ball who was once an attacking midfielder at Penn State. That willingness to learn, and adapt that quickly in her rookie year is something that is going to serve her well going forward. She even wore the captain’s armband back in June for Portland, already displaying that kind of leadership at the professional level.

Note: Jaelin Howell of Racing Louisville is also someone that has to be considered in this discussion