Angel City FC acquires Julie Ertz, Sarah Gorden from Chicago

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Midfielder Julie Ertz, seen with the United States Women’s National team during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, has been traded to Angel City FC. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Angel City FC added a pair of familiar names to the roster for its upcoming debut season.

In a trade with the Chicago Red Stars, ACFC acquired the rights to U.S. Women’s National team midfielder Julie Ertz, defender Sarah Gorden and an international slot for 2022 and 2023.

With the trade, the Red Stars receive roster protection from ACFC for the NWSL Expansion Draft on Dec. 16.

“Julie Ertz and Sarah Gorden are two players that are so important for the defensive foundation we are building on the Angel City roster,” ACFC Sporting Director Eni Aluko said. “We know successful football teams need to have competitive defenses and we are delighted with the addition of two competitive defenders with many years of NWSL experience.”

Ertz, 29, has been a stalwart on the national team. She is a two-time U.S. Soccer female player of the year. She was a member of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup champion team and is a two-time Olympian (2016 and 2021).

Gorden, 29, was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft by the Red Stars. She was a nominee for the 2021 NWSL Defender of the Year award.

“The level of experience and leadership that both Julie Ertz and Sarah Gorden bring to a team is incredible,” ACFC coach Freya Coombe said. “Julie is such a known leader and competitor on top of being a rock in the middle of the field. Sarah is absolutely one of the league’s best defenders. She was excellent all season and stood out in the NWSL Championship. They are the caliber of player that we want on the field playing for Angel City.”

ACFC will now turn its attention to the Expansion Draft and then the College Draft on Dec. 18.

Chicago also traded forwards Katie Johnson, Makenzy Doniak and Kelsey Turnbow to the San Diego Wave FC, the other NWSL expansion team, for expansion immunity.

ACFC and San Diego will not be able to select any players in the Expansion Draft from Chicago and the Kansas City Current, which received an exemption from the draft when the team was established a year ago.

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