News

Name: Katelyn Krebsbach
Pronouns: She/Her
Industry Position: Brand Manager/Designer
Organization/ Team: U.S. Soccer Federation

What’s your favorite thing about working in soccer?
I love being part of a team. I played soccer growing up, so I have always had a love for the game. Now, I get to discuss games at work with people who are just as excited about soccer as I am. Plus, it has given me the opportunity to combine my love for soccer with my passion for design. I have a sense of pride in seeing my work reposted on social media by our players or seeing my graphics appear on national TV. Overall, soccer has given me opportunities that aren’t available to me in other industries. Lastly, there is always something exciting going on – another game or tournament around the corner to focus on. No two days are ever the same, which challenges me to find new ways to be creative.

What are you most excited about for the 2023 Women’s World Cup?
I’m excited to see what impact this World Cup has on the next generation of players and fans. We are seeing a new wave of players become idols for what they accomplish on and off the field. What the teams accomplish this year will generate more excitement for future World Cup tournaments, and the game will continue to grow. Soccer is only becoming more popular, which means we will start to see bigger stadiums, bigger tournaments, and more exciting matchups.

You’re a Brand Manager/Designer, what were your top 3 priorities for World Cup preparations? What are your priorities now the tournament has begun?
We had several large graphics packages that needed to be created before the World Cup started, including the World Cup Roster Reveal,  the Send-Off Match in San Jose against Wales, and environmental graphics for the Women’s National Team (WNT) training facility in New Zealand. For Roster Reveal, I developed graphics for each player that showcased their image, name, position, and club. In addition to those, I designed a 23-player composite graphic that included every player heading to the World Cup. Lastly, I got to design the vinyl wrap that covered the WNT training facility, which included the player locker room. These graphics were to hype up the fans and the players as well!

After the tournament, we will turn our focus to the games that the U.S. Women’s National team will play in September. Since those games are in the U.S., we will be tasked with branding the stadiums and creating the matchday graphics package that will be used for social media posts.

What advice would you give someone who wants to become a graphic designer in the soccer industry?
I would advise that you reach out to designers working at teams you are interested in and ask for an informational interview. Ask what their day-to-day looks like and what projects excite them. You can learn a lot from them, not only about design but the work environment as well. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on your portfolio. It’s important that your portfolio not only showcases your best projects but a range of your skill sets as well. Bonus points if you are able to explain your thought process behind your design choices. Design is not just about making something that looks cool but rather being able to tell a story and engage a variety of audiences. Having a purpose behind your work will only make it that much stronger. 

What impact do you think more women and unrepresented folks working in soccer will have on equity in the industry?
It’s only going to bring more voices, resources, and excitement to the game. With more people with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, soccer will continue to grow and be more inclusive to all. From there, the game will become innovative and at the forefront of progress. 

Katelyn, thank you for sharing your career advice with the WIS squad and for bringing us behind your iconic designs for this year’s USWNT World Cup journey!

This WWC23 Starting XI Behind The Teams spotlight is brought to you by Women in Soccer in partnership with Talisman & Co.