// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Renee Lyles? Lyles ahead of the rest.
_37_(cropped).jpg) Lyles in 2026 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Renee Grace Lyles[1] | ||
| Date of birth | October 30, 2002 | ||
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Portland Thorns | ||
| Number | 41 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Concorde Fire[2] | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2025 | Clemson Tigers | 81 | (21) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2026– | Portland Thorns | 6 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of July 24, 2026 | |||
Renee Grace Lyles (born October 30, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Clemson Tigers.
Early life
[edit]Lyles grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where she attended St. Pius X Catholic High School. She played club soccer for Concorde Fire.[2] As a member of the school's soccer team, she helped St. Pius X win the Georgia Class 4A state championship in 2019.[3] In 2021, she was named the Georgia Class 5A Player of the Year.[4]
College career
[edit]Lyles played college soccer for the Clemson Tigers from 2021 to 2025. As a freshman in 2021, she started 19 matches, scoring seven goals and recording five assists. She was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team and the All-ACC Academic Team.[5][4] In 2022, she appeared in 17 matches, making 16 starts, and scored four goals while earning a second consecutive All-ACC Academic Team selection.[4]
In 2023, Lyles appeared in 21 matches, including 16 starts, scoring six goals and adding five assists. She was named to the All-ACC Academic Team for a third consecutive season and was selected as ACC Player of the Week on October 24, 2023. She helped Clemson reach the semifinals of the NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament and was named to the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team.[4] Lyles suffered a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) during preseason training ahead of the 2024 season, causing her to miss the entire campaign.[6] She returned in 2025, starting all 19 matches while scoring four goals and recording five assists.[4] Lyles finished her collegiate career with 81 appearances and 21 goals.
Club career
[edit]Lyles joined the Portland Thorns ahead of the 2026 National Women's Soccer League preseason as a non-roster invitee.[7] On March 12, 2026, after scoring four goals during the preseason, she signed her first professional contract, a short-term deal through May 31, 2026.[8] On June 9, 2026, she signed a contract extension to remain with the Thorns through the end of the 2026 season.[9] Lyles scored her first professional goal on July 24, 2026, in the 21st minute of a draw against Gotham FC.[10]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Clemson Commencement Program, December 2024". Clemson University. p. 101. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- 1 2 "Concorde Fire College Signings and Verbal Commitments". Concorde Fire. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ Parker, Carla (May 21, 2019). "St. Pius girls bring home another soccer state championship". The Champion Newspaper. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Renee Lyles Profile". Clemson Tigers Athletics. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ "2021 All-ACC Women's Soccer Awards Announced". Atlantic Coast Conference. November 4, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Arthrex Athlete: Clemson Soccer Duo Makes Inspiring Comeback After Knee Surgeries". Arthrex. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Renee Lyles Profile". Portland Thorns FC. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Portland Thorns Announce Final Roster Ahead of 2026 Season". Portland Thorns FC. March 12, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Portland Thorns Extend Renee Lyles, Jennie Immethun". Portland Thorns FC. June 9, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ Munson, Bella (July 25, 2026). "Kerr returns to NWSL scoresheet in dramatic Thorns-Gotham draw". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
External links
[edit]
- Renee Lyles at FBref.com
- Renee Lyles at National Women's Soccer League