Yarr! The lass Kate Markgraf be walkin' the plank, as the US Soccer women's ship be in disarray!
2023-08-18
Avast ye scurvy dogs! The U.S. women's national team be in a proper tizzy as another leader be walkin' the plank. The U.S. Soccer Federation be sayin' that general manager Kate Markgraf be settin' sail, leavin' the ship in a right pickle!
The U.S. women's national team will be saying goodbye to their general manager, Kate Markgraf, at the end of August. Markgraf, a former soccer player and current executive of the USWNT, has expressed her pride in what she has achieved during her tenure and is confident that the team will continue to succeed after her departure. She states that she is proud of the foundation they have built and the character and commitment demonstrated by the players on and off the field. She looks forward to supporting all of their programs and believes that they will maintain their standards of excellence moving forward.Markgraf was appointed to her role as general manager following the 2019 Women's World Cup, where she oversaw the search for a new coach after Jill Ellis left. Vlatko Andonovski took over as coach but recently stepped down following the team's shocking loss in the Round of 16, which marked their earliest departure from the tournament.
During the World Cup, Andonovski faced criticism for his timing of substitutions and overall tactical strategy. Markgraf, on the other hand, had an impressive playing career, appearing in 201 games over 12 years. She was a starter on the 1999 World Cup-winning team and was also part of the 2003 and 2007 World Cup teams. She was a member of three Olympic teams and played club soccer for the Boston Breakers and the Chicago Red Stars.
After her retirement, Markgraf pursued two master's degrees and worked as a broadcaster. She was recently inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. The U.S. women's national team will now have to find a new general manager to continue leading them to success on the field.