U.S. Girls’s Nationwide Soccer Group. Elyanna Garcia/SPP/Shutterstock
Julie Ertz, Sophia Smith and extra gamers on the U.S. Women’s National soccer team received one piece of dwelling earlier than heading off to the World Cup.
The Nationwide Girls’s Soccer League shared a YouTube video on Wednesday, July 19, that featured a number of of the soccer stars studying send-off letters from their family and friends earlier than jetting off to New Zealand for the global sports event — which kicks off on Thursday, July 20.
Earlier than opening the letter, Ertz, 31, requested the cameraperson what number of of her teammates have been crying after studying their messages. The midfielder teased she was “at all times the crier” when it got here to sentimental moments.
“Julie, right here we go, World Cup quantity 3,” Ertz learn her message from her husband, Zach. “Lower than a yr in the past, you gave beginning to the largest blessing in our lives, Madden, and watching you change into a mother has been some of the wonderful issues I’ve ever skilled in our time collectively. We love you a lot and can’t wait to help you on this journey for a fifth star.”
Whereas Ertz rejoiced from listening to from her hubby and son, Smith, 22, acquired a letter from her personal vital different, boyfriend Michael Wilson.
“Expensive Sophia, I can’t articulate how proud I’m of you for the individual you might have change into. “You’re the most particular individual I’ve ever encountered in my whole life,” she learn her beau’s phrases. “Let’s let historical past proceed to repeat itself: the World Cup champion and MVP. I really like you.”
After studying the candy sentiments, Smith hugged the letter noting it was “so cute” and made her “actually comfortable.” In the meantime, her teammate Sofia Huerta received a heartrending message from her brother Alex earlier than jetting off to the match.
“Expensive Sofia, I would like you to know that I miss my greatest good friend day by day. The day I dropped you off on the airport with Mother,” Huerta, 30, recounted whereas tearing up. “We’re blessed to have you ever in our lives. We’re blessed to obtain your mild. We’re so grateful that you simply exist and we get to share this expertise known as life collectively.”
The message continued: “The World Cup is greater than a soccer match, it’s a celebration of life. It’s ardour in its rawest kind. It’s artwork in movement. It’s the pinnacle of human achievement. It displays the hopes and goals of the world. From the underside of our hearts, we love you Sofia.”
Huerta wasn’t the one teammate to get encouraging remarks from her shut household. Alana Prepare dinner acquired phrases of knowledge from her mother.
“Alana, few have the chance to signify their nation. Get pleasure from this second and repay the belief that has been given to you,” Prepare dinner 26, recited. “Always remember what it took to get right here. Let these reminiscences of pleasure and heartbreak provide you with an unabashed ruthlessness. Go present the world there’s nonetheless room for old-school shutdown defenders. We love you and we’re cheering for you and Group USA.”
Group USA is the present Girls’s World Cup champion. The group additionally holds the file for probably the most titles which is 4. Of their first match, USA is about to tackle Vietnam on Friday, July 21.
