CHICAGO – One of the most decorated athletes in Santa Clara history, Julie Ertz (Johnston) added another award to her mantle Wednesday when she was named 2017 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year with 51.6-percent of the votes.
Ertz had her breakout at center back for the U.S. at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup but started playing defensive midfielder last summer at the Tournament of Nations. After she made the switch, the U.S. went 7-0-1 over its final eight games.
She scored six goals in 2017, including a brace against New Zealand, to finish second on the team in scoring.