Kate Markgraf hired as GM for women’s national team

Former defender Kate Markgraf has been named general manager of the U.S. women’s national team, U.S. Soccer announced Monday. Markgraf will oversee the search for a new coach to replace Jill Ellis, who is leaving the team in October. Ellis is stepping away from the job after leading the United States to back-toback Women’s World Cup titles. The federation also announced that the general manager for the men’s national team, Earnie Stewart, has been promoted to the new position of sporting director, overseeing U.S. Soccer’s sports performance department.