ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2021) - Orlando Pride has signed defender Phoebe McClernon to a two-year contract ahead of the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, it was announced today.
“We’re very excited to welcome Phoebe back to Pride. She has gained valuable experience playing in the Damallsvenskan and this will only help with the maturity of her performance,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner said. “Phoebe possesses many skills that will make her an excellent defender for our team and, already knowing her character, I believe she will offer a lot of quality and help us build a solid foundation for the Club moving forward.”
McClernon, 23, returns to Orlando after a season with Växjö DFF of the Damallsvenskan, Sweden’s top-flight. Through one campaign, she made 12 appearances for Växjö, finishing out the 2020 season leading all NWSL players in the Damallsvenskan in challenges won with 156. The defender added one appearance in the Svenska Cupen, the nation’s primary women’s association knockout tournament.
A product out of the University of Virginia, McClernon was selected by the Pride with the No. 14 overall pick at the 2020 NWSL College Draft and was signed to a short-term contract prior to the NWSL Challenge Cup. However, due to the team’s withdrawal from the competition, she did not appear for the Club.
Throughout her collegiate career, McClernon totaled 88 appearances for the Cavaliers, netting one goal and earning All-ACC honors in three consecutive years along with a nod to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team in 2018.
McClernon has also been a member of the U.S. Youth National Teams, most recently competing with the U23s during the 2018 Thorns Spring Invitational.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs defender Phoebe McClernon to a two-year contract through the 2022 NWSL season.
Phoebe McClernon
Position: Defender
Height: 5-7
Born: Dec. 13, 1997 in West Chester, Pa.
Hometown: West Chester, Pa.
College: University of Virginia
Citizenship: USA
