Phoebe McClernon Bio
Phoebe Lynch McClernon, born December 13, 1997, is an American professional soccer defender who plays for Seattle Reign FC in the National Women’s Soccer League. A West Chester, Pennsylvania native, she captained her high school team and played club soccer for Penn Fusion Academy before starring at the University of Virginia. Drafted by Orlando Pride in 2020, McClernon has played professionally in Sweden and the NWSL, contributing to Seattle Reign FC as a reliable center back.
Early Life and Background
Phoebe Lynch McClernon was born on December 13, 1997, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She grew up in a community with a strong youth soccer culture and developed her skills through school and club programs. McClernon attended the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, where she served as captain of the high school team and earned recognition for her leadership on the back line.
Outside of school soccer, McClernon played for Penn Fusion Academy, one of the most respected club programs in the region. She also represented the Region I Olympic Development Program, a pathway that exposed her to high-level competition and helped shape her tactical understanding of the game. These early experiences prepared her for the demands of college soccer at the University of Virginia.
Path to Soccer
McClernon committed to the University of Virginia and joined the Virginia Cavaliers women’s soccer program for the 2016 season. As a freshman in 2016, she appeared in all 22 games, though she started only four of them. The experience gave her a foundation in the Atlantic Coast Conference, one of the strongest college soccer leagues in the country.
From her sophomore year onward, McClernon became a regular starter and earned All-ACC honors in each of her next three seasons. In 2019, she was part of a Virginia Cavaliers backline that produced a stretch of seven consecutive shutouts in ACC play, a defining moment of her college career. Those performances led to her selection in the 2020 NWSL College Draft and the start of her professional journey.
Phoebe McClernon Career
Early Career (2020)
McClernon was selected in the second round, 14th overall, of the 2020 NWSL College Draft by Orlando Pride. With preseason canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, she signed a short-term contract for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup on June 21, 2020. The following day, however, Orlando Pride withdrew from the tournament following multiple positive COVID-19 tests among players and staff.
Released from her short-term deal, McClernon joined Swedish Damallsvenskan club Växjö in August 2020 for the rest of the season. She made her professional debut on August 16, 2020, playing the first half of a 2–0 defeat to Vittsjö. In total, she recorded 12 league appearances for Växjö, which finished sixth in the 2020 standings.
Orlando Pride Era (2021)
On January 22, 2021, McClernon re-signed with Orlando Pride on a two-year contract ahead of the 2021 NWSL season. She made her NWSL debut on April 10, 2021, starting in the team’s Challenge Cup opener against Racing Louisville. Her strong early-season form was recognized with NWSL Team of the Month honors for May 2021.
During that month, McClernon started all four of Orlando Pride’s games as the team went unbeaten and finished at the top of the table. Her composure and passing range out of the back helped anchor a defense that gave Orlando a strong platform heading into the summer.
Seattle Reign FC Era (2022–Present)
On December 18, 2021, McClernon was traded during the 2022 NWSL Draft to OL Reign in exchange for the 10th overall pick, used to select Caitlin Cosme, along with Celia, Leah Pruitt, and a second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Over the 2022 NWSL season, she made 11 appearances across the regular season and playoffs and added two matches in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup.
McClernon missed the start of the 2023 NWSL season due to a back injury, returning to action on July 6 against Racing Louisville FC. After her return, she started eight of the final nine regular season games and played all four postseason matches, totaling 974 minutes. On October 20, 2023, she recorded her first assist for the club, finding Veronica Latsko for the 87th-minute game winner in the playoff quarterfinals against Angel City FC, and she then played 90 minutes in the NWSL Championship final loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC. As of August 25, 2024, she had started 15 of 17 regular season matches and added a second assist to Veronica Latsko, this time in a 3–2 defeat to Washington Spirit on May 24.
Playing Style and Strengths
McClernon is a composed left-footed center back who reads the game with poise and looks to build attacks through clean passing from the back line. Her strength in one-on-one defending and her ability to step into midfield make her a fit for possession-based systems. She has also shown a willingness to contribute offensively from set pieces and overlapping runs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of McClernon’s career include her 2021 NWSL Team of the Month honor, her first professional assist in the 2023 NWSL playoffs, and her appearance in the 2023 NWSL Championship final. Her trade to OL Reign marked the beginning of her most consistent run of senior minutes.
Phoebe McClernon International Career
McClernon has been called up to multiple United States under-23 training camps, reflecting her standing within the broader American player pool. In March 2018, she appeared in all three matches for the under-23 team at the Portland Thorns Invitational, gaining experience against top-tier competition. She has not been capped at the senior national team level based on available records.
Phoebe McClernon Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information about McClernon’s family is limited. She grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where she developed her early soccer foundation. Details about her parents and siblings have not been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
McClernon is not publicly known to be married and does not have publicly confirmed children. She maintains an active presence on social media, where she is known by the handle phoebelynch_, offering fans a window into her training and match-day routines.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering 2025, McClernon remains a central part of the Seattle Reign FC back line after re-establishing herself as a regular starter in 2023 and 2024. Her combination of postseason experience and comfort in possession gives the Reign a dependable option at center back. With consistent minutes in the latter half of recent seasons, she is expected to compete for an extended starting role in 2025.
The Reign will look to McClernon for leadership in organizing the defense and contributing to build-out play from the back. Her history of delivering in big games, including the 2023 NWSL Championship final, suggests she will be a key figure as the club pushes for another deep postseason run. Continued health after her 2023 back issue will be an important factor in her 2025 production.