OL Reign Exercises Option on Defender Phoebe McClernon

OL Reign today announced that it has exercised the 2024 option on defender Phoebe McClernon’s contract. The third-year defender is in her second season with OL Reign after spending her first professional season with Orlando in 2021.

“I’m looking forward to staying with OL Reign for another year. I was grateful to have their support as I recovered from my injury earlier this season and know that I will only continue to improve in such a high-level environment,” said McClernon.

After missing the first half of the 2023 season with a back injury, McClernon made her return to the pitch on June 28 in OL Reign’s UKG NWSL Challenge Cup match against the Portland Thorns, helping the club earn its fourth consecutive clean sheet in the competition. Following her return, the 25-year-old has started in both regular season games, recording seven clearances and six interceptions.

In 2022, McClernon appeared in 10 regular season games for the Reign, starting in six. As part of OL Reign’s backline, she accumulated 13 clearances, 14 interceptions and five blocks in her 595 minutes of playing time and helped the team earn three clean sheets. The defender also had two appearances for the Reign in the 2022 Challenge Cup, tallying five clearances, two interceptions and 37 successful passes.

“Phoebe McClernon is a seasoned player in the NWSL and she’s worked tirelessly to come back from a significant injury; we’re not only pleased to see her back in action with OL Reign now, but into the 2024 season as well,” said OL Reign general manager Lesle Gallimore. “Phoebe is a competitor that will always give her team a chance to win.”