The U.S. Women's National Team returned to the field for the first time since their early World Cup exit and said goodbye to a pair of team legends in shutout wins over South Africa.

Julie Ertz played her final game for the USWNT in a 3-0 win over South Africa on Thursday in Cincinnati and Megan Rapinoe said her farewells in a 2-0 win over South Africa in Chicago on Sunday.

Rapinoe’s 203rd and final international match saw goals from forward Trinity Rodman and midfielder Emily Sonnett to send off one of the most important players in women’s soccer history in front of more than 25,000 fans at Soldier Field.

Rapinoe’s final match came 17 years and 63 days after making her international debut on July 23, 2006. Only three players have had longer USWNT careers: Kristine Lilly (23 years, 94 days), Christie Pearce (18 years, 204 days) and Mia Hamm (17 years, 127 days). The 2012 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup champion finished her career ranked 10th in USWNT history with 63 goals and is tied with Abby Wambach for third in assists with 73.

Lynn Williams had a brace and Rodman scored in the 3-0 win in front of 22,016 fans at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

Ertz captained the USA in the match, which was her 123rd and final cap. The midfielder debuted for the USWNT in February of 2013, competed in five world championship events with the USWNT, winning back-to-back World Cups in 2015 and 2019 and helping the USA to bronze at the delayed Tokyo Olympics.

Ertz finished her U.S. career with an overall winning percentage of 89% - the sixth-best win percentage of any player in USWNT history with 100 or more caps, while helping the team to an overall record of 101 wins, 17 draws and just five losses in her 123 international appearances.

Up next, the USWNT will play Colombia in a pair of friendlies next month in Utah on Oct. 26 and San Diego on Oct. 29. 

Photo Credits: U.S. Soccer