The veteran defender has started all 29 matches for Reign FC this season, leading the team in minutes played, clearances, tackles won and blocks; Seattle's third-longest tenured player is one appearance away from reaching 100 regular season games with the club
Seattle Reign FC today announced that defender Phoebe McClernon has signed a contract extension through the 2029 NWSL season. The 28-year-old, who was eligible to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2026 season, has established herself as a reliable presence in the Reign's backline, bringing defensive consistency, veteran experience and leadership to the club throughout her five seasons in Seattle.
“Phoebe has been an important part of our defensive foundation, and her ability to perform at a high level consistently speaks to the type of player and professional she is,” said Seattle Reign FC General Manager Lesle Gallimore. “She brings an understanding of what it takes to compete in this league, and her influence extends well beyond her contributions on the field. Retaining a player with her experience, character and connection to this organization is significant as we continue shaping our roster for the future.”
McClernon has been a mainstay in Seattle's defense throughout the 2026 NWSL regular season, becoming the only player on the roster to start all 29 matches while leading the team with 2,581 minutes played. The defender also leads Reign FC in clearances (162), tackles won (39) and blocks (20), with her 162 clearances tied for the third-most in the NWSL this season. McClernon has played a key role in all 11 of Seattle's clean sheets, the second-most in a single season in club history.
Beyond her contributions on the field, McClernon was selected by her teammates as a finalist for the second annual Lu Barnes Award, which recognizes the player who best exemplifies excellence on the pitch, leadership in the locker room and service to the community.
“Seattle has become such an important part of my life, and I'm really proud to have the opportunity to stay here,” said McClernon. “I've been fortunate to share the field with so many incredible people over the last five seasons with this club. I care deeply about this team, the people who represent it and what we want to accomplish together. There's still so much I want to achieve in a Reign jersey, and I'm looking forward to being part of what's ahead.”
A Pennsylvania native, McClernon began her professional career with the Orlando Pride, who selected her with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft. Seattle acquired the defender from Orlando in a trade during the 2022 NWSL Draft. Across her NWSL career, McClernon has started 104 of her 120 regular season appearances, recording two assists, 467 clearances, 392 duels won and 152 tackles won.
Now in her fifth season with Reign FC, McClernon is the third-longest tenured player on Seattle's roster. She has appeared in 99 regular season matches for the club, making 89 starts and totaling 7,981 minutes played. McClernon ranks seventh in club history in regular season appearances and sixth in both starts and minutes played. Her next appearance would make her the seventh player in club history to reach 100 regular season games for Reign FC.
“Phoebe has been incredibly consistent for us and brings a lot of experience to our backline,” said Seattle Reign FC Head Coach Laura Harvey. “She understands her role, does the work that's asked of her and has become a really important leader within the group. We're excited that she'll be with us for years to come and look forward to continuing to work with her.”
Prior to entering the NWSL, McClernon played four seasons at the University of Virginia, where she made 67 starts in 88 appearances for the Cavaliers. During her collegiate career, she earned All-ACC First Team, Second Team and Third Team honors, establishing herself as one of the conference's top defenders before beginning her professional career.