As the only Orlando Pride defender to start the first five matches of 2021, first-year centerback Phoebe McClernon is quickly becoming a consistent staple of the team’s backline.
After being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft, McClernon didn’t play a single minute for the Pride in 2020, going to Sweden on loan to play as many minutes as possible after the Pride’s withdrawal from the Challenge Cup.
Yet despite only seeing her play in training and on film, Skinner still chose to protect her along with 11 other players in the 2020 expansion draft.