More important, Ertz, who was 30 when Madden was born, wanted to gauge her progress discreetly before she made any promises to the national team. Ertz was in Phoenix, which is her hometown and where her husband, Zach, plays tight end for the Arizona Cardinals. Taylor and Midkiff connected Ertz with Phoenix Rising, a United Soccer League club with a Major League Soccer Academy program. Ertz arranged to begin training with the club’s under-19 team in February. When Taylor informed the boys on the team that Julie Ertz would be coming to practice, many of the players greeted the news with blank stares.

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Persons: Julie Ertz, Madden, Ertz, Zach, Paul Taylor, Matt Midkiff, Taylor, Midkiff Organizations: Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix, United Soccer League, Major League Soccer Academy Locations: Phoenix