Julie Ertz returns to USWNT lineup in surprise center back role at Women’s World Cup to anchor young back line

After a nearly two year absence from the lineup, it came as no surprise that Julie Ertz was once again starting for the U.S. women’s national team in their Women’s World Cup opener against Vietnam. Where she started in the USWNT’s 3-0 win in New Zealand was a different story, though.

Ertz slotted into the team as a center back next to World Cup newcomer Naomi Girma, replacing Alana Cook after she started in the team’s sendoff match against Wales. It called back to Ertz’s tournament debut in 2015, when she won her first World Cup title as a defender, but the player has since made a name for herself as a defensive midfielder.