In the final World Cup send-off match for the U.S. Women's National Team on Sunday, two Arizona natives featured in the match - one for the USWNT and the other for El Tri. 

 

Earning the start for the U.S. was Mesa's Julie Ertz and earning start for Mexico was Glendale's Arianna Romero. Ertz went the full 90 and notched an assist on Christen Press' goal in the 88th minute and Romero saw action in 89 minutes before being substituted off. 

 

Romero is back playing in the NWSL (seven AZ players in NWSL) for the Houston Dash after spending the 2016 through 2018 seasons playing for the IBV (Iceland), Perth Glory (Australia), Valerenga (Norway), Valur (Iceland). During this time she made 57 appearances and helped the Perth Glory to a Grande Final runners-up appearance. 

 

With the Houston Dash this year, Romero has appeared in three matches and has recorded one assist. 

 

Locally, Romero played for the Arizona ODP and Sereno SC where she helped her Sereno 92 Golden Eagles to eight Arizona State Cup championships. 

 

Up next for Ertz and Jessica McDonald, who is on the 2019 World Cup roster but did not see action against Mexico, is the 2019 World Cup which kicks off on June 11 against Thailand in France. Mexico missed the World Cup this year for the first time since the 2007 World Cup.