Phoebe McClernon
Phoebe Lynch McClernon (born December 13, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for OL Reign of the NWSL. Early life. A native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, McClernon captained her high school team at Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, played club soccer for Penn Fusion Academy and was a member of the Region I Olympic Development Program. Virginia Cavaliers. McClernon played college soccer at the University of Virginia. She played four seasons for the Virginia Cavaliers between 2016 and 2019, playing in all 22 games as a freshman but only starting four . She became a starter in her sophomore year and earned All-ACC honors in each of the following three seasons. In 2019, McClernon was part of a UVA backline that posted a stretch of seven consecutive shutouts in ACC play. Club career. Orlando Pride. McClernon was selected in the second round (14th overall) of the 2020 NWSL College Draft by Orlando Pride. With preseason and the ensuing NWSL schedule canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McClernon was eventually signed to a short-term contract for the return to play 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup on June 21, 2020. However, the following  day the team confirmed they would be withdrawing from the tournament following multiple positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff. Växjö. In August 2020, having been unable to play for Orlando, McClernon was released from her short-term contract in order to join Swedish Damallsvenskan club Växjö for the rest of the season. She made her debut on August 16, 2020, playing the first half of a 2–0 defeat to Vittsjö. In total McClernon made 12 league appearances as Växjö finished in sixth-place in 2020. Return to Orlando Pride. On January 22, 2021, McClernon re-signed with Orlando  Pride on a two-year contract ahead of the 2021 season. She made her NWSL debut for the club on April 10, 2021, starting in the team's Challenge Cup opener against Racing Louisville. McClernon's early regular season performances were recognized with NWSL Team of the Month honors for May 2021, having started in all four of Orlando Pride's games as the team went unbeaten and finished the month at the top of the table. OL Reign. On December 18, 2021, McClernon was traded during the 2022 NWSL Draft to OL Reign in exchange for the 10th overall  pick (used to selected Caitlin Cosme), Celia, Leah Pruitt, and a second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. International career. McClernon has been called up to multiple United States under-23 training camps. In March 2018, she appeared in all three games for the under-23 team that competed at the Portland Thorns Invitational.