From the Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars and U.S. Soccer announced Thursday that veteran defender Kate Markgraf is retiring from professional soccer.
This year, Markgraf made 21 starts and logged 1,873 minutes for the Red Stars in Women's Professional Soccer play. Because of her in-season success, Markgraf was called back to the U.S. Women's National Team for three matches, pushing her career caps total to 201 and becoming one of only seven U.S. players to reach that mark.
Markgraf joined the Red Stars heading into the inaugural 2009 WPS campaign as a U.S. National Team-allocated player. But Markgraf missed the season as she gave birth to twins Carson (girl) and Xavier (boy).
The mother of three -- Markgraf has another son, Keegan -- completed her soccer comeback and captained a Red Stars defense that ranked second in the league behind only WPS champion FC Gold Pride this year.
Markgraf earned her 200th career cap for the U.S. during a 1-1 draw against Sweden on July 13 in Omaha, Neb. Markgraf, typically a center back, made the switch to right back and also wore the captain's armband.
The Chicago Red Stars and U.S. Soccer announced Thursday that veteran defender Kate Markgraf is retiring from professional soccer.
This year, Markgraf made 21 starts and logged 1,873 minutes for the Red Stars in Women's Professional Soccer play. Because of her in-season success, Markgraf was called back to the U.S. Women's National Team for three matches, pushing her career caps total to 201 and becoming one of only seven U.S. players to reach that mark.
Markgraf joined the Red Stars heading into the inaugural 2009 WPS campaign as a U.S. National Team-allocated player. But Markgraf missed the season as she gave birth to twins Carson (girl) and Xavier (boy).
The mother of three -- Markgraf has another son, Keegan -- completed her soccer comeback and captained a Red Stars defense that ranked second in the league behind only WPS champion FC Gold Pride this year.
Markgraf earned her 200th career cap for the U.S. during a 1-1 draw against Sweden on July 13 in Omaha, Neb. Markgraf, typically a center back, made the switch to right back and also wore the captain's armband.
Leave a comment