4 Chicago Red Stars players called up to the US women’s national team — and Julie Ertz is set to return to pro soccer

Four Chicago Red Stars players were called up to the U.S. women’s national soccer team for the final set of friendlies ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and striker Mallory Swanson earned their third call-ups of the year as they remain in the team’s main rotation. Defenders Tierna Davidson and Casey Krueger were called up for the first time this year.

Davidson missed last season with an ACL injury while Krueger sat out because of pregnancy, giving birth to her son, Caleb, in July. The two matches will serve as the last tests for the national team ahead of the World Cup, which begins July 20 in New Zealand and Australia.

Coach Vlatko Andonovski said he will determine his final 23-player roster in late spring, which places a focus on players returning from absences — such as Davidson and Krueger — to make a strong impression.

All four players are familiar faces on the national team. Naeher won two World Cups and an Olympic bronze medal in 89 appearances. A 2019 World Cup champion, Swanson has a USWNT-leading seven goals this year. Davidson has logged 48 appearances, winning a World Cup in 2019 and an Olympic bronze medal in 2021. Krueger has made 37 appearances in her senior international career and won bronze in 2021.

The Americans will play Ireland twice — first on April 8 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, then April 11 at CityPark in St. Louis.

Julie Ertz makes her return

Former Chicago Red Stars defender Julie Ertz is set to make her return to professional soccer after nearly two years away after receiving a call-up to the April friendlies. Ertz was a mainstay for the Red Stars, logging 95 appearances over eight seasons.

Ertz played her last game for the U.S. women’s national team during the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021 and has not played professional soccer since then. Her rights were traded from the Red Stars to Angel City in December 2021, but she has yet to sign with a new club. She missed the 2022 season because of pregnancy and gave birth to her son, Madden, in August.

In a news conference Tuesday, Andonovski told reporters he visited Ertz’s training setup, which convinced him that her fitness would be match-ready. He also said Ertz is in conversations with club teams and plans to return soon.

Ertz’s and Krueger’s call-ups fall under clauses of the collective bargaining agreement that require the national team to call up players post-pregnancy. But Andonovski said his choice to invite both to camp was also a “soccer decision.”

“It’s very exciting to be back with the team again and I’m grateful to have this opportunity,” Ertz said in a statement. “I have to work out details in regards to my club situation, but I am very thankful to (my husband) Zach, my family, and U.S. Soccer for the amazing support they have provided to get me back to this point. I’ve been training hard, excited to see where I’m at physically and getting better each day. I am going into this camp the same way I always have, to compete with the best women in the world.”