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.[1][2]
Club career
Orlando Pride
McClernon was selected in the second round (14th overall) of the 2020 NWSL College Draft by Orlando Pride.[2][3] 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.[4] 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.[5]
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.[6] She made her debut on August 16, 2020, playing the first half of a 2–0 defeat to Vittsjö.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9]
Seattle 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.[10]
McClernon missed the start of the 2023 National Women's Soccer League season due to a back injury, eventually playing her first game of the season on July 6 against Racing Louisville FC.[12] Following her return, the defender started eight of the final nine fixtures of the regular season and found herself on the pitch for all four playoff games for a total of 974 minutes.[11] She recorded her first assist in a Reign shirt on October 20, 2023, playing the ball to Veronica Latsko for the game winner in the 87th minute of the NWSL playoff quarterfinals against Angel City FC.[13] McClernon featured in all 90 minutes of the Reign's 1-2 loss against NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL Championship final.[14]
As of the match on August 25, 2024 against North Carolina Courage, McClernon has started 15 of the 17 regular season games and provided a second assist as a Reign player, again to Veronica Latsko in a 3-2 defeat against Washington Spirit on May 24.[15]
International career
McClernon has been called up to multiple United States under-23 training camps.[16][17] In March 2018, she appeared in all three games for the under-23 team that competed at the Portland Thorns Invitational.[18]
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