On January 6, 2020, it was announced that Naughton and Chicago’s 18th overall selection in the 2020 NWSL College Draft were to be traded to the Houston Dash in exchange for forward Kealia Ohai.

Naughton was selected by Chicago Red Stars as the nineteenth selection in second round in 2016 NWSL College Draft. She scored her first career NWSL goal on June 24, 2018, in a 2–0 win over the Utah Royals FC.

Naughton signed with Australian club Perth Glory for the 2018–19 W-League Season, along with Red Stars team-mates Sam Kerr, Alyssa Mautz and Nikki Stanton.

In October 2016, Naughton was loaned to Australian club Adelaide United along with her teammates Danielle Colaprico and Sofia Huerta. Naughton re-signed with the club in October 2017, along with her teammates Danielle Colaprico and Alyssa Mautz.

Naughton started her international competition at an early age of 15. Naughton competed with United States under-17 women’s national soccer team in international friendly, as well as with United States under-18 women’s national soccer team. Naughton played 4 matches at 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Katie Naughton was a part of United States under-23 women’s national soccer team which competed and won the 2016 Istria Cup in Croatia.

Beginning in 2013, Naughton captained the Notre Dame Soccer Team, making her the first Notre Dame three-year captain. The following year, she was named to several honorary teams: All-ACC Second Team; First Team NSCAA Scholar All-North/Central Region; Third Team NSCAA Scholar All-American; NSCAA Second Team All-Southeast Region. Naughton also received Notre Dame OSCARS Francis Patrick O’Connor Award.

Naughton played for Chicago Sockers FC during her youth, and played for Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Atlantic Coast Conference, during her college years. In 2012, Naughton was named to NSCAA All-Northeast Region Second Team; All-BIG EAST Third Team; BIG EAST All-Rookie Team; and was also named Notre Dame Team Most Valuable Freshman.

Katie is the only child of Claire and Tom Naughton. Her best friend is named Stephanie Darling. Naughton pursued double majors in anthropology and Spanish at Notre Dame, and was named to the Dean’s list for 2012 fall semester. She was one of two team representatives to Notre Dame’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council. Naughton earned certificates of merit in Notre Dame’s Rosenthal Leadership Academy between 2012 and 2014.

Kathleen Naughton (born February 15, 1994) is an American professional soccer defender who currently plays for Perth Glory in the W-League on loan from Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played collegiate soccer for the University of Notre Dame.