CHICAGO (August 18, 2023) - After four years, Kate Markgraf has decided not to continue as the U.S. Women’s National Team General Manager with U.S. Soccer. She will provide support through the end of the month to assist in the transition.
“Kate has been an instrumental part of Women’s National Team both on and off the field for many years, and we’re very thankful for the tireless work she has given to the USWNT and all our Youth National Teams,” said U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker. “We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and look forward to building on the foundation she helped establish over the past several years.”
Markgraf was named as the first General Manager and Head of Women’s Soccer in U.S. Women’s National Team history on Aug. 12, 2019. In what was a newly created position, she took on the responsibilities of working with the head coach in creating, executing and monitoring technical plans for the USWNT and all U.S. Youth National Teams.
"It has been an incredible honor to work with the players, coaches and staff at U.S. Soccer on the mission of keeping our program at the top of the women's game,” said Markgraf. “I am proud of the foundation we have built, and even more proud of the character and commitment demonstrated by our players as they represent the United States on and off the field. I look forward to supporting all of our programs and have every confidence that we will maintain our standards of excellence moving forward."
“We are grateful to Kate for the tremendous work she has done in helping guide our Women's National Team and the transformative work on our youth Women’s National Team programs,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “Her knowledge and experience have been incredibly valuable, and we are poised to build on that foundation as we look to the future."
Markgraf, who was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame this year, represented the U.S. Women’s National Team 201 times from 1998 through 2010, playing in three World Cup tournaments and three Olympic Games. She was a member of one World Cup winner (1999) and two Olympic champions (2004 and 2008). She is one of just 14 American female players to appear 200 or more times for her country and started at center back in six-consecutive world championship events for the USA. She played in 16 World Cup matches and 16 Olympic matches during her career.
“There’s been a lot of great work that has been done by the sporting staff on the women’s side of the game at U.S. Soccer, which means we are starting from a position of strength,” said Crocker. “We’re looking forward to building on what has been created already, and ensuring we can continue to improve by setting a strategic plan will set the foundation for our Women's National Team to achieve greater success in the years to come."