Mikayla Cluff Bio
Mikayla Shae Cluff (née Colohan; born February 25, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder. She has previously played for the Orlando Pride, the Utah Royals, and Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Cluff played college soccer for the Brigham Young University Cougars and became one of the most decorated players in program history as a three-time United Soccer Coaches All-America first team selection, three-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year, four-time All-WCC first team honoree, and 2021 Hermann Trophy finalist.
Early Life and Background
Born in Kaysville, Utah, Mikayla Cluff played four years of soccer at Davis High School, where she set a new Utah high school assists record twice. During her high school career, her team won three consecutive state championships, and Cluff was named to the All-State first team each year from 2014 to 2016. She played club soccer for La Roca Futbol Club for seven years and captained the Olympic Development Program Region IV team in 2015. Although she excelled in basketball, Cluff felt that soccer provided more of a challenge, which ultimately led her to pursue it more seriously.
Path to Soccer
Cluff played five seasons of college soccer at Brigham Young University from 2017 to 2021 while also earning a degree in exercise and wellness. She made an immediate impact as a freshman, registering an assist against Penn State on her debut. Despite suffering an injury during her first home opener, she returned for conference play and ended her first year with three goals and five assists in 11 appearances, earning a spot on the All-West Coast Conference Freshman Team. Cluff continued to build on her success, starting all games in her sophomore year, where she led her team to a WCC regular season title and earned multiple accolades.
Mikayla Cluff Career
Early Career (2019)
In the 2019 college offseason, Cluff played for Utah Royals FC Reserves in their inaugural WPSL season, where she scored eight goals in 12 appearances. The team topped the Central Region Conference and progressed to the playoffs, showcasing Cluff’s talent early in her career.
Breakthrough (2021-2022)
On January 13, 2021, Cluff was selected in the second round (14th overall) of the 2021 NWSL Draft by Orlando Pride. She signed a two-year contract with the Pride ahead of the 2022 season. Cluff made her professional debut on March 19, 2022, starting in the season opener against Washington Spirit. She scored her first NWSL goal on May 18, 2022, against the North Carolina Courage, marking a significant milestone in her professional career.
Notable Works and Milestones
Cluff’s signature work includes her time at BYU, where she became the second-highest goalscorer in the program’s history with 53 goals. She has also received multiple awards, including being named WCC Offensive Player of the Year and earning All-America honors.
Mikayla Cluff Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Mikayla Cluff has received numerous nominations and accolades, particularly during her time at Brigham Young University, where she was recognized as a standout player in the West Coast Conference.
Mikayla Cluff Awards Won
Cluff has earned several awards, including being a three-time United Soccer Coaches All-America first team selection and a three-time WCC Player of the Year, solidifying her status as one of the top players in collegiate soccer.
Mikayla Cluff Family
Mikayla Cluff is married to professional baseball player Jackson Cluff. The couple tied the knot on January 7, 2022, in a ceremony at the Draper Utah Temple. They met while studying at Brigham Young University.
Personal Life
Cluff is the cousin of former United States youth international and BYU Cougars soccer player Cloee Colohan, who was also drafted into the NWSL. Cluff’s commitment to soccer and her family background has played a significant role in her journey as a professional athlete.
