McKinley Crone Bio
McKinley Allyn Crone (born October 20, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Born and raised in the Orlando area, she played collegiately for the Oklahoma Sooners and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Early Life and Background
McKinley Crone was born in Maitland, Florida, to Mark and Lora Crone. She has a younger sister and was involved in multiple sports during her childhood. At the age of nine, she decided to focus on soccer, although she also swam varsity in high school. Crone attended Edgewater High School in Orlando, where she lettered in soccer for four years. Initially playing as a forward in her freshman year, she transitioned to the goalkeeper position and earned all-metro honors three times. Additionally, she played club soccer for Florida Kraze Krush.
Path to Soccer
Crone’s soccer journey began in earnest during her high school years, where her skills as a goalkeeper began to shine. After high school, she played two full seasons as the starting goalkeeper for the Oklahoma Sooners. During her freshman year in 2017, she recorded an impressive 111 saves, followed by 97 saves in her sophomore year in 2018. Despite the team’s struggles with losing records, her performance was notable. After suffering an injury, she transferred to the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2020, where she continued to excel.
McKinley Crone Career
Early Career (2017–2022)
Crone’s collegiate career was marked by significant achievements. At Alabama, she made history by shutting out Clemson in the first round of the NCAA championship, helping the team secure its first-ever victory in the national tournament. In the 2022 regular season, she allowed only 11 goals in 19 games, contributing to Alabama’s undefeated record against Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponents and their first conference regular-season title. Over her three years at Alabama, she made 229 saves and tied the program record with 21 career clean sheets. Notably, she holds the national record for career minutes played by a goalkeeper, totaling 9,519 minutes.
Breakthrough (2023–Present)
In 2023, McKinley Crone joined the Orlando Pride as a non-roster trialist during the preseason. She was signed to the roster on September 13 after demonstrating her skills during training and securing two national team replacement contracts. Crone made her professional debut on July 20, 2024, as the starting goalkeeper against the North Carolina Courage in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. In that match, she made five saves, and although the game ended in a draw, she saved two penalty kicks during the shootout. On May 3, 2025, she made her NWSL regular season debut in a match against the Portland Thorns, where she came on as a substitute and did not concede any goals.
Notable Works and Milestones
McKinley Crone’s signature achievements include her record-setting performances at Alabama and her quick rise to professional soccer with the Orlando Pride. Her ability to maintain clean sheets and her impressive save statistics have established her as a promising talent in the league.
McKinley Crone Award Nominations
Throughout her career, McKinley Crone has received recognition for her performances, particularly during her collegiate years.
McKinley Crone Awards Won
While specific awards won have not been detailed, her accomplishments in college soccer, including setting records for saves and clean sheets, highlight her skill and dedication to the sport.
McKinley Crone Family
McKinley Crone was raised in a supportive family environment, with her parents Mark and Lora Crone encouraging her athletic pursuits.
Personal Life
Details about McKinley Crone’s personal life, including her relationships and marital status, are not publicly available.