Lu Barnes Award presented by Paula’s Choice Nominee Spotlight: Phoebe McClernon
In 2025, Seattle Reign FC, in partnership with Paula’s Choice Skincare, launched the Lu Barnes Award to honor the legacy of club legend Lu Barnes. Barnes played for the team from the inaugural 2013 NWSL season to the 2025 season before hanging up her boots. Though she may not be on the field anymore, Barnes defined what it meant to wear the Reign crest through a combination of world-class performance on the pitch, leadership, integrity and her impact in the community.
Barnes herself was honored with the first-ever award in 2025 and in 2026, the recognition continues to evolve. This season’s process began with Reign FC players and coaches voting for their top three award nominees. Jess Fishlock, Phoebe McClernon and Cassie Miller were selected.
Phoebe McClernon joined Reign FC in 2022. Once she worked her way into the starting lineup – she’s never really left. Her stability and leadership make her a perfect Lu Barnes Award nominee.
She is the only Reign FC player to start all 27 matches this season and has played the most minutes of any player on the roster in 2026. The defender reached her 100th NWSL appearance in May and is rapidly approaching her 100th Reign FC appearance, which serves as a testament to just how steady she has been for the club.
Often, defenders go unrecognized for their contributions on the field as their best moments rarely make the highlight reel – or the scoresheet. McClernon has won 74% of her tackles this season and boasts an 84% passing accuracy. She ranks among the league’s best in clearances this season and has 42 interceptions.
“We all know what Phoebe brings,” said Reign FC Head Coach Laura Harvey. “She is defensive and will break anything up. She’s going to give us energy and she’s going to give us that last-ditch mentality.”
Characterized by her teammates as steady, team first and competitive, she brings a unique energy that has helped each edition of the Reign squad, but particularly the current iteration of the squad that is younger than ever before. As a veteran in the NWSL, McClernon understands how to navigate the long and challenging seasons and any ups and downs the team may face.
“I don’t think we feel defeated by a loss. You’ve seen our mentality on a stage this whole season. When we get knocked down, we get back up and we come back stronger.”
McClernon is undoubtedly a vocal leader on the pitch, as she has helped to develop a young and hungry backline, but in addition to that, she takes pride in leading by example, fostering an environment that makes everyone around her better in turn.
Off the field, the center back is always willing to step up for the community in a variety of ways. Win or lose, she goes out of her way to engage with the fans at Lumen Field that support the Reign every matchday. She also consistently shows up to support causes that are important to the club and her teammates and has been a pillar of the Reign’s work in the community.
She is also the club’s Player Association rep off the pitch. She’s dedicated her time to not only being advocate for current NWSL players, but to advancing the game for the next generation of players.
To learn more about the Lu Barnes Award, presented by Paula’s Choice and cast your vote now, visit https://www.reignfc.com/lu-barnes-award. The voting period ends on October 15 and just for voting, you will be entered for a chance to win four tickets with scarves to the November 1 match where the Lu Barnes Award, presented by Paula’s Choice winner will be recognized!
