U.S. women’s national team general manager Kate Markgraf is leaving the role when her contract expires at the end of August, U.S. Soccer announced Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Markgraf made the decision to leave before the Women’s World Cup began, per multiple reports. The Americans lost to Sweden in the round of 16 earlier this month.
- Markgraf, a former USWNT defender who won two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup, took on the team’s first GM role in August 2019.
- The 46-year-old oversaw the head-coaching search that culminated with Vlatko Andonovski succeeding Jill Ellis later that year.
What they’re saying
“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,” Markgraf said in a release. “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.”
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said Markgraf has been “an instrumental part of Women’s National Team both on and off the…
