Former Red Stars defender Markgraf joins ESPN for World Cup coverage

Kate Markgraf (left) -- Getty Images

Former Chicago Red Stars defender and Notre Dame standout Kate Markgraf will be an analyst for ESPN during the network's coverage of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup -- June 26 to July 17 in Germany. The recently retired U.S. international was the youngest member of the 1999 World Cup team.

Read Natalie Davis Miller's piece on Notre Dame's athletics site, UND.com.

Red Stars' Markgraf returns to form

By Scott Powers, ESPNChicago.com

Chicago Red Stars defender Kate Markgraf will never forget the moment she was told 14 weeks into her pregnancy she would be having twins.

"I cried," said Markgraf while laughing.

As a mother, she was overjoyed. As a soccer player, she was terrified.

Markgraf had decided long before the doctor's late-breaking news of twins that she was going to play at least one more professional soccer season. The thought of twins made her pause, but it wasn't enough to deter her.

On Saturday, Markgraf officially completed her comeback. In the same week as her girl-and-boy twins, Carson and Xavier, turned 11 months old, Markgraf made her first U.S. women's national team appearance since December 2008 when she came off the bench in the 63rd minute Saturday and helped the U.S. hold on for a 4-0 win over Germany before 10,000 fans in Cleveland.

"I wasn't expecting it at all," Markgraf said of being called up for the game. "I was very surprised and honored at the same time."

Read the rest of Scott Powers' story on ESPNChicago.com.

Four Red Stars called up to U.S. WNT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Red Stars will have four representatives on the U.S. Women's National Team when the squad faces Germany at 5 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 22, in Cleveland, Ohio. Red Stars defender Kate Markgraf makes her return to the U.S. WNT along with fellow Chicago defender Marian Dalmy, goalkeeper Jillian Loyden and midfielder Megan Rapinoe. U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage is bringing 22 players to Cleveland, with 18 suiting up for the match.

The international friendly will be televised on ESPN2.

Markgraf, who gave birth to twins in July of 2009 and missed the inaugural Women's Professional Soccer season, has not played for the U.S. WNT since December of 2008. She needs only two more caps to hit 200 for her international career.

Rapinoe led the U.S. with five points (two goals and an assist) during international play in 2009. Rapinoe and Dalmy each have 11 international caps, and Loyden still is in search of her first cap.

For more, visit ChicagoRedStars.com.

Markgraf still playing with passion

By Paul D. Bowker, Red Line Editorial

OAK BROOK, Ill. - Halfway through a recent Chicago Red Stars practice, three attackers moved ahead with the ball, precisely targeted in on the goal. Immediately, Kate Markgraf sprinted into the middle of play from her defensive position. Soccer class was in session.

Soon, the ball deflected out of play, and another rotation was back in action.

Not bad for a 33-year-old mother of three.

"She amazes me," Red Stars coach Emma Hayes said. "She really does. She's inspiring to be around ... a pleasure to coach."

Markgraf, in her own way, almost shrugs off the attention. She is playing soccer the way she always has in six world championship events, at the University of Notre Dame and in her native Michigan as a youth. That is to say, with passion.

"I don't have any fairytale storybook traditions," Markgraf said. "My whole goal is to go ahead every single day with the best attitude and the best mind-set and to give 100 percent every day, and the chips will fall where they may. Do the best I can."

Read Paul Bowker's full piece at TeamUSA.org.

REMEMBERING THE '99 WORLD CUP

CLICK HERE for an Examiner.com feature with goalkeeper Briana Scurry and Chicago Red Stars defender Kate Markgraf, who talked about the 1999 World Cup, Women's Professional Soccer and more in celebration of their memorable accomplishment over China 10 years ago.

~ Charlie Corr
Chicago Sports Examiner at Examiner.com
SlideTackles.net creator and editor

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