USWNT shakeup continues with GM Markgraf exit

The U.S. women’s national team’s leadership shakeup will continue with general manager Kate Markgraf set to leave her role at the end of this month, sources confirmed to ESPN.

The Equalizer was the first to report the news.

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Sources confirmed that Markgraf’s contract expires at the end of August, and her decision not to return was made prior to the Women’s World Cup.

The news that Markgraf, 46, won’t return comes a day after manager Vlatko Andonovski resigned his position.

The USWNT was eliminated in the round of 16 by Sweden via a penalty shootout, though there continued to be conversations with U.S. Soccer about Markgraf possibly staying on. The World Cup exit was the earliest in USWNT history, and appeared to seal her decision.

Markgraf was the first person the U.S. Soccer Federation appointed to the position of general manager of the USWNT in 2019, and her first decision was the hiring of Andonovski. That decision was followed by two sub-standard performances in major tournaments, including the recent World Cup and a bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics.

In an interview with ESPN prior to the tournament, Markgraf said that, while she didn’t explicitly tell Andonovski what players to take to the World Cup, she did have a role in helping shape the roster, which Andonovski confirmed was the case.

“We have to make so many tough decisions in different times, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Andonovski said prior to the tournament. “But the questions that [Markgraf] is posing is in such a professional and respectful way, help us think deeper, help us think different, outside of the box, and in a way prepare ourself for even more stressful moments and be ready for it.”

It is unclear if the position of GM of the USWNT is one that will continue going forward.

In announcing Andonovski’s resignation, U.S. Soccer reiterated that sporting director Matt Crocker had already started an in-depth analysis of the women’s national team program and would develop a long-term strategy “to ensure U.S. Soccer can continue its success on the women’s side of the game. The comprehensive approach will establish the operational roadmap that will guide the women’s program forward.”

Markgraf was a decorated player for the USWNT, making 201 appearances, while being part of the 1999 side that won the Women’s World Cup as well as gold medal-winning sides at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

Following her playing career she earned masters degrees in kinesiology and educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She also worked as a broadcaster for ESPN.