Midfielder is looking towards the World Cup in France while her husband, Zach, has his eyes on a repeat Super Bowl

Almost a year ago the United States women’s team kicked off what would become an undefeated year with a 5-1 win over the Euro 2017 runners-up, Denmark.

Having fallen behind to a Nadia Nadim goal, the USA equalised through Alex Morgan before the midfielder Julie Ertz put the 2015 World Cup champions ahead to accelerate the turnaround.

It was a straightforward friendly but, taking place in a World Cup qualifying year, it was important to start the campaign the right way. For Ertz, though, there was added pressure. On 21 January, while she was preparing to take to the field in San Diego, her husband, Zach Ertz, was nearly 2,700 miles away in Philadelphia, in a different time zone, doing the same with a little more at stake: seeking a place in Super Bowl LII.

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After the final whistle Ertz went viral. Searching for someone able to tell her the result she had tried to avoid, the tears flowed and the celebrations began once she discovered the outcome.

Not long after, at the Super Bowl, Ertz watched as her husband scored the touchdown in the fourth quarter that put the Philadelphia Eagles ahead against the New England Patriots, en route to a 41-33 victory.

It was a role reversal because, in 2015, Zach had been in the crowd, watching as a 23-year-old Ertz, then called Johnston and the second-youngest member of the squad, lifted her sport’s highest honour, the Women’s World Cup, having played every minute of her team’s seven games.

Since that win the USA have not had a straightforward time. A surprise quarter-final defeat by Sweden at the Rio Olympics followed. The team have been in transition but it seems things are starting to click at the right time. “Usually you find in many teams before a big tournament it comes together and clicks,” says Ertz. “Cycles happen; after the Olympics we had retirements, we had to bring some people in. The really cool part is we’ve had some really tough opponents in the past three years.

“We definitely feel it – that we’re all coming together as a full unit, coaches and team as well, so we’re really excited for 2019.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Julie Ertz expects her husband, Zach, No 86 for Philadelphia, to attend the World Cup in the summer. Photograph: Nam Y Huh/AP

After the euphoria of the Super Bowl Ertz’s season took a hit as a knee injury at the SheBelieves Cup sidelined her. But fearing for her World Cup place was not on the cards. “I wasn’t really thinking about anything like that till October and qualifying. When I knew it was a two-to-three-month injury I definitely took a sigh of relief.”

She went on to play 15 NWSL games for Chicago Reds Stars, making the play-offs for the fourth straight season before losing 2-0 to the eventual winners, North Carolina Courage.

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In 2015 Ertz played at centre-back. Now, for club and country, she plays in midfield and in Jill Ellis’s side she shields the defence. “It’s been a really fun challenge,” she says. “I was a midfielder and a forward in college so it wasn’t too far off from that position. At this level it’s a lot faster and is a challenge but I’ve been enjoying it.”

Finishing the year with 17 wins and two draws was a statement of intent before this summer’s World Cup in France. “A lot of wins brings a lot of confidence to the team for sure,” says Ertz. “Throughout last year, too, we were trying to figure out the pieces and what was going to be best for us going further, with it being a qualifying year.

“The key for us is coming together. The feel of the team, the tightness, that’s been the really big change – the meshing together and time and experiences together.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Julie Ertz training with the USWNT in Faro this week. Photograph: Brad Smith/ISI/Rex/Shutterstock

There is plenty more time for that to develop. With 10 friendlies between now and June – by comparison England have three confirmed – the world champions are doing all they can to retain their crown and overseas trips have been an important part of the latter stages of their preparations. “The World Cup being in Europe means we have the time zone change and have to get used to the routine of being in another country. It’s huge for a lot of players that don’t have that experience, especially the younger players on our team who haven’t done a European trip before. But on top of that, filling out the year with possible World Cup opponents was huge for us.”

Identifying the biggest threat to their title is hard: “I’ve learned from 2015 that you really can’t look past anyone. At the World Cup everyone shows up with their best game, so I don’t think I can name anyone just now; the game has grown so much.”

Zach’s season is reaching its culmination. The Eagles squeezed past the Chicago Bears 16-15 on Sunday to earn a showdown for an NFC championship place with the No 1 seeds, the New Orleans Saints. As his season draws to a close, Ertz’s is gaining pace. Will Zach be in France? “He better be,” she says, laughing. “The team hasn’t been rostered so I can’t say much but I would hope so – we all dream of being there.”

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A hectic athletic schedule can be a burden on any relationship but for the Ertzses sharing similar experiences makes it easier. “Him being an athlete helps for sure,” she says. “There’s a lot of sacrifices that we both give up, time being the biggest one. Because we’ve grown together, we really started our careers together, that has really helped us on and off the field.”

Has it made them better athletes? “I think so. He pushes me a lot. I hope I do the same. The support system is there as well. He really keeps the mental aspect of the game for me with a lot of perspective and that’s pretty huge at this level and time.”

Talking points

• Chelsea have unveiled Ann-Katrin Berger as their latest acquisition. The German goalkeeper announced her departure from Birmingham last week. Emma Hayes confirmed after their win over Everton that she expects one of her keepers to leave in the summer.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ann-Katrin Berger alongside Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. Photograph: Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

• The fourth-tier team Crawley Wasps have been drawn against Arsenal, the WSL leaders, in the fourth round of the FA Cup. AFC Wimbledon also face top-tier opposition in Bristol City. Hope Powell welcomes her former captain Casey Stoney when Brighton host Manchester United. The full draw is here.