The USWNT's Julie Ertz, a back to back World Cup champion, is retiring from soccer

U.S. defender Julie Ertz celebrates after scoring a goal against New Zealand during the first half of an international friendly soccer match in Commerce City, Colo., on Sept. 15, 2017. The 2-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year has retired from soccer after a 10-year career that included back to back Women's World Cup titles and two U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year awards. (Jack Dempsey/AP)

Julie Ertz, a back to back FIFA World Cup champion and a 2-time U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year recipient, is retiring from the sport, U.S. Soccer announced Thursday.

"As an athlete you're always singularly focused on the next goal, the next tournament and rarely do you get time to reflect on your career," Ertz said. "However, over the past couple of months my heart has been filled with gratitude as I've thought about the amazing experiences soccer has given me."

Ertz, 31, played as a central defender in the 2015 World Cup and a central midfielder in the 2019 Cup.

She is the only player to win the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year and the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year twice, in 2017 and 2019.