When the United States Women’s National Team took the field on September 20, 2008 against Ireland in Bridgeview, Illinois, one of the defenders on the team was beginning the twilight of her career. Kate Markgraf, a long-time defender who was a member of the 99ers (the 1999 Women’s World Cup champions), was fresh off winning a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics and hoping to possibly be a part of the team as they began the road to the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
The friendly match against Ireland had the USWNT looking to make history.