Kate Markgraf still delivering for USWNT as she headlines Class of 2023 inductees into National Soccer Hall of Fame

For Kate Markgraf, general manager of the U.S. Women’s National Team and one of six inductees into the National Soccer Hall of Fame this weekend, her 12 years’ experience as a USWNT player still comes in handy as she heads to Frisco, Texas, for Saturday’s induction ceremony.

“I think something that you learn as an athlete is mental toughness, and to not get stressed out — right? — otherwise, how would you ever approach any challenge,” the two-time Olympic gold medalist told reporters earlier this week. “I think like all my teammates before me and the ones that are coming after me, goodness, we know how to compartmentalize, and we know how to just get the job done. So, it’s a huge honor.”

The 46-year-old Markgraf, who hails from Pontiac, Michigan, and was a three-time All-American at Notre Dame, is the last starter of the U.S. women’s 1999 World Cup-winning team to be elected to the Hall of Fame. The former defender appeared in 201 matches for the USWNT, making her one of just 12 American women to record 200 or more caps.

“Honestly as a defender, you’re used to not really being paid attention to unless you’re making a huge catastrophic mistake or you score goals,” said Markgraf, who was voted in under the Veterans category. “…You don’t ever expect to be valued in the way that people value forwards or different ways that people value women. So I never expected this.

“I kept fighting for women to be acknowledged, because the evaluation (in HOF criteria) has always been an issue, and I’m very appreciative for the steps (taken) not just with me, but a year ago and how they changed the voting standards, acknowledging that the way we were voting was actually not the best practice. I’m very excited that the evaluation of