As the U.S. women's soccer team heads into CONCACAF's 2019 Women's World Cup qualifying tournament this week, Julie Ertz insists she isn't thinking ahead.
She insists her mind isn't drifting toward France, which will host next year's spectacle. Or the win-and-clinch-a-berth semifinal in the qualifying tournament.
Right now, Ertz's mind is only on Thursday's group stage opener against Mexico. It will be the U.S.' first game since the 2016 Olympics that has real stakes. Panama and Trinidad & Tobago are also in the group.
"We really don't talk about games ahead," she said. "We don't want to get in that mindset, because then they become trap games."
Ertz hasn't had much time to look ahead anyway. After her Chicago Red Stars lost in the NWSL playoffs to the eventual champion North Carolina Courage, she was only home for a few days before leaving for U.S. training camp.
(There was, though, enough time to be at the Linc to watch husband Zach and the Eagles beat the Colts.)
For all the U.S.' dominance in women's soccer, it's only been eight years since they famously tripped up in World Cup qualifying. The U.S. lost to Mexico in the semifinals, then had to win the third-place game and a home-and-away playoff to reach the 2011 tournament.
Veterans including current players Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe have taught the new generation how things can go wrong.
"They share those experiences to help the younger ones [know] that these tournaments are very important," Ertz said. "This is the first goal to the ultimate goal."
The qualifying tournament might see the return of the steely midfield partnership of Ertz and Sam Mewis. They've played well together since the Olympics, but Mewis has missed some games this year due to injuries. Now they're both healthy and in form.
"Sam is a phenomenal player," Ertz said. "She can really control the tempo of a game, which is huge. ... And then obviously, her threat finishing outside the box."
Then there's Lindsey Horan, a 24-year-old playmaker who capped a rise to stardom this year by winning the NWSL's MVP award. She can score in a variety of ways, is a great passer, and plays tenacious defense.
"The way she sees the game, and the creativity that she has, and good feet skills, it really is fun to watch and be on her team," Ertz said of Horan.
Combine a midfield of Horan, Mewis and Ertz with a front line of Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath, and the U.S. has an attacking force that almost no opponent worldwide can stop. There's also great depth in the player pool, led by Rose Lavelle, Mallory Pugh and Carli Lloyd.
"That's the beauty of this team," Ertz said. "Every training session, every practice, every drill is competitive. It makes it so much fun, and it makes you so confident as a team."
