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Simone Charley
Simone Charley
Simone Charley
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Simone Naomi Charley (born February 4, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Women's Super League 2 club Newcastle United. A former two-sport athlete, Charley competed in soccer and track and field at Vanderbilt University. She has previously played for NWSL clubs Portland Thorns FC,Angel City FC, and the Orlando Pride, as well as Australian club Canberra United FC.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Charley was born to Sharon and Bobby Charley in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Hoover, Alabama. Her maternal family is originally from Montserrat.[2] She was born into a sports family, her older sister Nicole having been a triple jumper at Auburn, her older brother Myles a triple jumper and long jumper at Troy and her cousin Damian an American football player at Vanderbilt.

Charley is a natural athlete herself, and excelled at the high school and university level in both soccer and track and field.[3] During her high school career she won nine state championships in both sports, was named 2011 state Gatorade Player of the Year (soccer) and 2012 Birmingham News Female Athlete of the Year. She also excelled academically.[4][5][6]

College career

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Charley attended Vanderbilt University for five years. During that time she was a student-athlete for the Vanderbilt Commodores in soccer, indoor track and outdoor track.[1] Due to her prolific athletic career Charley was named to the 2019 Southeastern Conference Class of Women's Legends.[7] While at Vanderbilt University Charley earned a bachelor's degree with a double-majored in psychology and sociology and a master's degree in medicine, health and society.[8][9]

College soccer, 2013–2017

[edit]

During her soccer career at Vanderbilt,Charley made 76 appearances and finished with 25 goals and 18 assists. Her 2013 freshman year saw her finish the year as the team's leader in points and goals. She was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll. Charley repeated her team leader in goals her sophomore year and was named to the First Team All-SEC team and Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll. Her 2015-year saw her named to the All-South Region First Team and Second Team All-SEC. Charley redshirted the 2016 season in soccer. She returned to the soccer team for her senior year in 2017. She finished the year as team leader in points. She was named to the Second Team All-SEC and All-Southeast Region and made the Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.[8]

College Track and Field, 2014–2017

[edit]

While attending Vanderbilt Charley also competed in both indoor and outdoor seasons of track and field in the triple jump. Her freshman indoor season saw her post the second-best mark on Vanderbilt's all-time performance for the triple jump (41'8.50"). She broke her own school record in the 2014 outdoor season, setting a then lifetime best of (43'2.50"), missing qualification for the IAAF World Championship by one centimetre. She finished her freshman year named to the 2014 Outdoor NCAA Second-Team All-American and 2014 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. During her sophomore year she again broke both her own indoor and outdoor school record in the triple jump, with jumps of (43'5.25") and (43'8.55") respectively. Indoor she had a fifth best nationally at the time which earned her All-SEC honors. Charley also earned NCAA First-Team All-American honors for both her indoor and outdoor 2015 season. She repeated this double NCAA First Team All-American honors during her junior 2016 seasons. She also again repeated her breaking of her own person and school records with jumps of (44'0") in her indoor season and (45'2.75") during her outdoor season. Her final track season was the 2017 indoor season, where Charley again broke her school and personal record with a triple jump of (44'5.25"). She finished her last season earning a third consecutive indoor NCAA First Team All-American honor.[10][11]

Club career

[edit]

Portland Thorns

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Charley went undrafted in the 2018 NWSL College Draft. She was however picked up by the Portland Thorns FC, making the practice squad for 2018 as a non-roster invitee.[12][9] She was signed by the team in May 2019 as a supplemental player.[13][14][15] Charley made her first start for Thorns FC on May 25, 2019, against Sky Blue FC. She provided two assists during her second start against the Chicago Red Stars.[16]

Charley scored her first professional goal during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, and scored a second goal during the 2020 NWSL Fall Series.[17] On October 30, 2020, Thorns FC announced that the club had offered Charley a new contract.[18] On January 29, 2021, Thorns FC announced that the club had signed Charley to a two-year contract.[17] Charley scored five goals in 19 appearances in the 2021 season, tied for second most on the team with Christine Sinclair.[19]

Canberra United (loan)

[edit]

After the 2019 season, Thorns FC loaned Charley to Australian W-League club Canberra United FC, where Charley scored five goals in 11 appearances.[20]

Angel City

[edit]

On December 8, 2021, Thorns FC traded Charley and forward Tyler Lussi to Angel City FC in exchange for $100,000 in allocation money, a second-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, and immunity from Angel City in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft.[21][19] In her 2022 season, Charley scored two regular-season goals and one Challenge Cup goal in 23 total appearances.[22] She also drew two penalties.[22]

On April 11, 2023, Angel City announced that Charley had ruptured an Achilles tendon in her left foot during a match against Orlando Pride on April 2 and placed her on the team's season-ending injury list.[23] On January 22, 2024, Angel City announced that Charley would not be returning to the club.[24]

Orlando Pride

[edit]

On January 24, 2024, the Orlando Pride announced that they had signed Charley to a two-year contract.[25] On March 10, 2024, Orlando Pride announced that Charley had been placed on the season-ending injury list for the 2024 season after rupturing her Achilles tendon for the second time within a year, this time in her right foot, during preseason training.[26]

She returned to the field in August 2025 after having gone 854 days without playing in a competitive match.[27] On October 3, 2025, she scored her first goal in three years to help Orlando salvage a late draw with the Houston Dash.[28] At the end of the year, Charley departed from the Pride as a free agent.[29] She had made 9 league appearances from the club in her one active season of play.[30]

Newcastle United

[edit]

In February 2026, Charley signed a contract with English club Newcastle United through the end of the 2025–26 Women's Super League 2 season.[31]

Personal life

[edit]

Charley was elected as the vice president of the NWSL Players Association in 2024.[32]

Career statistics

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College summary

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Team Season Total
Division Apps Goals
Vanderbilt Commodores 2013 Div. I 17 5
2014 19 9
2015 21 7
2016 0 0
2017 19 4
Total 76 25

Club summary

[edit]
As of January 24, 2024[33][34]
Club Season League Cup[a] Playoffs[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Portland Thorns 2019 NWSL 11 0 — 0 0 — 11 0
2020 — 6 1 — 4[c] 1 10 2
2021 19 5 4 1 1 0 — 24 6
Total 30 5 10 2 1 0 4 1 45 8
Canberra United (loan) 2019–20 W-League 11 5 — — — 11 5
Angel City FC 2022 NWSL 20 2 3 1 — — 23 3
2023 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
Total 22 2 3 1 0 0 0 0 25 3
Orlando Pride 2024 NWSL 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 63 12 13 3 1 0 4 1 81 16
  1. ^ Includes NWSL Challenge Cup
  2. ^ Includes NWSL Playoffs
  3. ^ Includes NWSL Fall Series

Honors and awards

[edit]

Portland Thorns FC

Orlando Pride

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Simone Charley

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Simone Naomi Charley is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the of the (NWSL). Born on February 4, 1995, in , , and raised in , she scored 25 goals during her collegiate career at , earning multiple All-SEC and All-Region honors. Charley's professional career began in 2019 when she signed with the as an undrafted free agent after going undrafted in the 2018 NWSL College Draft. In her debut season, she made an immediate impact with assists in her home debut, and by 2021, she contributed five goals to help the Thorns win the . She spent time on loan in Australia's W-League before joining in 2022, where she appeared in 22 matches and scored two goals. In 2024, Charley was elected as Vice President of the NWSL Players Association, a leadership role she continues to hold while advocating for players' rights and contributing to the league's first collective bargaining agreement. Charley's career has been defined by resilience amid significant setbacks, including a ruptured left in April 2023 while with and a second rupture in her right Achilles during preseason in early 2024. After over 18 months of rehabilitation, she made her debut in August 2025 and scored her first professional goal in three years on October 3, 2025, a diving header that secured a 1-1 draw against the . On the international stage, she has represented the at the U-23 level, including scoring in a 2019 win over at the Nordic Tournament.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Simone Naomi Charley was born on February 4, 1995, in , , to parents Sharon and Bobby Charley. As the youngest of three siblings, she grew up in an athletic ; her mother Sharon was a sprinter, while her older sister Nicole and brother Myles both competed in events, with Nicole specializing in the at and Myles in jumps at . The also had a history of sports involvement extending to relatives, including cousin Damien Charley, who played football for from 1995 to 1998. At the age of two, Charley relocated with her family from to , where she spent the remainder of her childhood and formative years. This move to the Birmingham suburb provided a supportive environment for her emerging interest in , influenced heavily by her family's emphasis on sports; she has noted that her parents and siblings encouraged physical activity from an early age, fostering a competitive yet nurturing household dynamic. Her mother's background in sprinting particularly inspired Charley's own pursuits in speed and jumping disciplines. Charley's initial exposure to organized sports began in her early school years in Hoover. She started playing soccer in , participating in local programs during the spring and fall seasons, which quickly became a central part of her routine. In , she joined activities in the summer, complementing her soccer training and allowing her to develop foundational skills in running and jumping under the guidance of family members who shared similar passions. These early experiences in soccer leagues and elementary track events laid the groundwork for her dual-sport development, blending seamlessly with her family's athletic heritage before she advanced to competitive high school levels.

High school achievements

Simone Charley attended Spain Park High School in , where she excelled as a two-sport in soccer and . In soccer, Charley was a five-year starter under head coach Robert Starr, contributing to the Jaguars' three consecutive (AHSAA) Class 6A state championships from 2009 to 2011. She led the team in scoring for three straight seasons, amassing 87 goals and 41 assists by the end of her junior year. As a sophomore in the 2010–11 season, she earned the Alabama Girls Soccer Player of the Year award after a standout performance that included numerous goals and assists. She secured two-time first-team All-State honors and the 2012 Birmingham News Female of the Year recognition. She also played club soccer with the Birmingham Legends, winning a state championship in 2011. Charley also competed in track and field, focusing primarily on jumping events such as the triple jump and long jump, with occasional participation in sprints to support relay teams. Her early family support for athletics fostered her development into a dominant competitor at the high school level. In the triple jump, she became the first female in Alabama high school history to surpass 40 feet, setting a state record of 40 feet, 3 inches to win the 2011 AHSAA Class 6A outdoor championship. During her junior year in 2012, she claimed indoor state titles in both the long jump and triple jump, followed by a second-place finish in the outdoor long jump and another triple jump victory. As a senior in 2013, Charley won the indoor triple jump with a state-record mark of 40 feet, 4.25 inches, and swept the outdoor long jump (18 feet, 9.5 inches) and triple jump (42 feet, 3.5 inches, a new state record). Across her high school career, these performances contributed to three state championships in soccer and seven individual state titles in track and field events.

College career

Soccer participation

Simone Charley enrolled at in 2013 and competed for the women's soccer team from 2013 to 2017, primarily as a forward, while redshirting the 2016 season to focus on academics and . Over her career, she made 76 appearances, scoring 25 goals and providing 18 assists. Her high school soccer background at Hoover High School in provided a strong foundation for her transition to collegiate play. In her freshman year of 2013, Charley appeared in 17 games with 16 starts, tallying 5 goals and 5 assists before an injury sidelined her for the final two matches; she earned SEC All-Freshman honors for tying the team lead in goals. As a sophomore in 2014, she emerged as the team's top scorer with 9 goals and 3 assists across 19 appearances (17 starts), including scoring three goals across wins over Mississippi State and , for which she was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, and was named to the First Team All-SEC. Her junior season in 2015 saw her lead the in scoring again with 7 goals and 4 assists, highlighted by a game-winning goal against No. 8 and two goals versus Gonzaga; she received All-South Region First Team recognition. Returning in 2017 as a graduate student after her redshirt year, Charley started all 19 games, contributing 4 goals and a team-high 6 assists for 14 points, including a goal and two assists in a 5-3 victory over and a goal in her NCAA debut against Ohio State. Throughout her time at Vanderbilt, she balanced her athletic commitments with rigorous academics, earning spots on the SEC Academic Honor Roll multiple times (2014–2017) and the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll in 2013–14, ultimately graduating in 2017 with a in both and .

Track and field accomplishments

Simone Charley competed in for from 2014 to 2017, specializing in the while also participating in sprints and relays as a dual-sport athlete with soccer. During her career, she established multiple Vanderbilt school records in the , including an indoor mark of 44 feet 5.25 inches (13.54 m) set at the 2017 SEC Indoor Championships, which ranked third nationally that season. Her outdoor school record of 45 feet 2.25 inches (13.77 m) came at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships, where she earned a with that leap. Charley garnered six NCAA All-American honors in the , beginning with second-team recognition as a in after placing ninth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with 42 feet 7 inches (12.99 m). As a in 2015, she secured first-team honors indoors (fourth place) and outdoors (third place, 44 feet 3.25 inches or 13.50 m). She repeated first-team selections in 2016 with runner-up finishes both indoors and outdoors, and added another first-team honor in 2017 indoors. In competition, she earned All-SEC accolades, including second place outdoors in 2016 and third place indoors in 2017. Beyond athletics, Charley balanced her commitments by earning a in medicine, health, and society in 2017, becoming a first-team Academic All-American in that year. In 2023, Charley was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame for her contributions to soccer and .

Professional career

Portland Thorns FC tenure

Simone Charley joined in 2019 after going undrafted in the 2018 NWSL College Draft and spending the prior year on the team's as a non-roster invitee. She signed a supplemental roster contract on May 8, 2019, marking her entry into professional soccer as a forward. During her tenure with the Thorns from 2019 to 2021, Charley established herself as a versatile forward known for her speed and finishing ability, drawing from her college background in soccer and track at . Over 30 regular-season appearances, she scored 5 goals, providing key contributions in the attacking third. In her 2019 rookie season, Charley made 11 appearances with 6 starts, recording 2 assists but no goals in the regular season, including a notable performance with two assists in a single match against the Chicago Red Stars on June 2. The Thorns finished third in the NWSL standings with an 11-7-6 record, securing a playoff berth, though they were eliminated in the semifinal by the Chicago Red Stars with a 2-0 defeat on September 22. The 2020 season was abbreviated due to the , featuring the and Fall Series. Charley scored her first professional goal in the on June 27 against the , a left-footed strike in the 80th minute during a 2-1 group stage loss. She added another goal in the Fall Series, opening the scoring against Utah Royals FC on October 4 in a 2-1 victory. The Thorns advanced to the semifinal but lost 2-0 to the Courage, who went on to win the tournament. Charley's most productive year came in 2021, where she appeared in 19 regular-season matches, starting 11, and scored all 5 of her NWSL regular-season goals. Her first league goal arrived on May 26 against , equalizing in the 45th minute during a 1-2 loss. Subsequent strikes included goals against (May 2), Chicago Red Stars (May 15), OL Reign (June 6), and NJ/NY Gotham FC (September 10). These efforts helped the Thorns capture the with a league-best 13-5-6 record and 44 points, as well as the Challenge Cup title after defeating Gotham FC 1-1 (6-5 on penalties) in the final on May 8, where Charley started. In the playoffs, the top-seeded Thorns defeated 2-0 in the quarterfinal before falling 2-1 to the in the semifinal on November 14.

Canberra United loan spell

In November 2019, Simone Charley joined on a one-season loan from the for the 2019–20 W-League season, becoming the club's third international signing and adding depth to their attacking options. Described by head coach as an "incredibly quick" forward and a "huge threat," Charley was expected to bolster Canberra's push for a top-four finish with her speed and versatility. During the season, Charley made 11 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 1 assist while receiving 1 yellow card. Her contributions included deadly runs from wide positions, helping Canberra in key matches despite the team's challenges, and she was named to the Westfield W-League Team of the Season so far in January 2020 for her impact as a relative newcomer. Adapting to international play presented challenges, including the W-League's greater emphasis on physicality and athleticism compared to the more technical NWSL, as well as adjusting to Australia's hot weather that tested sustained pressing. Charley transitioned from a central striker role with the Thorns to a wider attacking position under Garriock, requiring her to refine tactical runs and vary her approach against defenders who often double-teamed her. Culturally, she embraced the semi-professional environment, forming strong team bonds and exploring local sights like beaches and , which eased her integration despite the league's differences. This loan spell significantly advanced Charley's development as a versatile forward, with one-on-one coaching sessions enhancing her soccer IQ and tactical awareness beyond what she gained in limited NWSL minutes. The experience provided more playing time than her initial Thorns stint, fostering adaptability in diverse systems and contributing to her growth as a dynamic attacker.

Angel City FC period

Simone Charley joined ahead of the club's inaugural NWSL season after being traded from the on December 8, 2021, in exchange for $100,000 in , a natural second-round pick in the NWSL Draft, and full roster protection from the NWSL . She signed a two-year with the , where she was expected to bolster the forward line with her goal-scoring prowess and developed during her prior NWSL stints. In 2022, Charley played a key role in Angel City FC's debut campaign, appearing in 20 regular-season matches with 10 starts, logging 1,074 minutes, and contributing two goals as the team finished eighth in the league standings with a 8-5-9 record. Her goals came in consecutive matches late in the season: a right-footed finish from three yards against the on September 11 and a header from 10 yards, assisted by , against the Washington Spirit on September 21, helping secure important points in the playoff push. She also scored once in the , a header assisted by in a group-stage win over OL Reign on April 17, showcasing her aerial ability and integration into the team's attacking dynamics as a newcomer to the Los Angeles-based expansion side. Charley's 2023 season was cut short early after she ruptured her left Achilles tendon on April 2 during a match against the Orlando Pride, suffering the injury on a routine tackle in the first half. She had appeared in two regular-season games for Angel City that year, playing 58 minutes without a goal or assist before the incident. On April 11, Angel City FC placed her on the season-ending injury list, confirming she would miss the remainder of the 2023 NWSL season. The club provided full support for her recovery, with head coach Freya Coombe emphasizing Charley's importance on and off the field and expressing anticipation for her return. Initial rehabilitation focused on maintaining positivity amid the setback, marking the first major season-ending injury of her professional career.

Orlando Pride era

On January 24, 2024, the Orlando Pride signed forward Simone Charley as a free agent to a two-year contract running through the 2025 season, following her departure from Angel City FC. This move added attacking depth to the Pride's roster ahead of the 2024 NWSL campaign. Shortly after joining, Charley suffered her second Achilles tendon rupture—this time in her right ankle—during preseason training in early March 2024, leading to her placement on the season-ending injury list and causing her to miss the entire 2024 season. Despite the setback, she remained part of the team that captured the 2024 NWSL Shield for the regular-season title and the NWSL Championship, marking Orlando's first league title in franchise history. Her rehabilitation process spanned over 17 months, longer than the typical recovery due to the bilateral nature of her injuries—the first having occurred in her left Achilles while with Angel City in April 2023—before she was removed from the season-ending injury list on August 2, 2025. Charley made her long-awaited return in the 2025 NWSL season, debuting as a substitute on August 5, 2025, in a match against the —her first competitive appearance in over two years. As of November 14, 2025, she has made 10 appearances (1 start) for the in the 2025 season, including the playoff quarterfinal, scoring 1 goal—her first since 2022, netted as an equalizer in a 1-1 draw against the on October 3, 2025—while recording 16 shots and contributing to the team's playoff run, which advanced past the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over the .

Off the field

Personal details

Simone Charley earned a in and from in 2017, balancing her dual-sport athletic commitments with rigorous academic demands. She continued her education by completing a in medicine, health, and society from the same institution in 2018. These degrees, pursued amid her competitive soccer and track seasons, reflect her interest in the intersections of physical performance, psychological well-being, and societal health issues. Post-college, Charley's lifestyle as a professional has involved frequent relocations across the and internationally, adapting to team-based environments in cities like Portland, , and Orlando while maintaining close ties to her family in . Her dual-sport background from Vanderbilt continues to shape her training regimen, emphasizing explosive power and year-round conditioning derived from disciplines, which enhances her speed and agility on the soccer pitch. This athletic foundation fosters a disciplined routine centered on recovery, strength work, and holistic wellness. Charley has advocated for awareness in athletes, drawing from her academic background and personal experiences with injuries. During her time with the from 2019 to 2021, Charley engaged in community-oriented , supporting initiatives that promote and youth development, such as designing apparel for BIPOC-owned businesses through Mimi's Fresh Tees, donating diverse children's books via Three Little Kings Library, and mentoring at-risk youth with the Maurice Lucas Foundation. These efforts highlight her commitment to using her platform for equitable causes, independent of her professional advocacy roles.

NWSL Players Association role

In 2024, Simone Charley was elected as of the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA), where she joined the executive committee alongside president Haley Hopkins and secretary Madison Pogarch. As , Charley served on the NWSLPA's bargaining committee for the league's new (CBA), ratified in August 2024, which marked a historic advancement in player rights by eliminating the college draft, introducing unrestricted free agency for all players upon the expiration of their contracts, and establishing fully guaranteed contracts to protect against termination due to injuries or latent health conditions. The agreement also enhanced health and safety measures, including mandatory minimum rest periods (such as a midseason break and at least 28 days off in the offseason), limits on game frequency to reduce workload, and required charter flights for certain travel to minimize fatigue and injury risk. Charley emphasized the CBA's significance, stating, "The new terms are a reflection of the collective power of Players in this incredible league," and noted that it would "ensure the league's long-term success" by prioritizing player well-being alongside growth. These provisions gained added relevance from Charley's own experiences with bilateral ruptures in 2023 and 2024, which sidelined her for consecutive seasons and underscored the need for stronger injury protections and recovery support. Drawing from her in medicine, , and , Charley has highlighted the importance of these health-focused initiatives in fostering sustainable careers for NWSL players. The CBA's implementation during her tenure has set a benchmark for professional women's soccer, influencing future negotiations on equity, compensation, and player safeguards.

Career statistics and records

College summaries

Simone Charley's collegiate athletic career at included soccer participation from 2013 to 2017, with a redshirt year in 2016 for soccer, and competition primarily in the from 2014 to 2017. Her dual-sport involvement highlighted her versatility as a forward in soccer and a jumper in track. The following tables summarize her year-by-year soccer statistics and key track performances, drawn from official records.

Soccer Statistics (2013–2017)

Charley appeared in 75 games across four active seasons, scoring 25 goals and providing 18 assists while competing in the (SEC). She earned SEC All- honors in 2013 and multiple All-SEC selections thereafter.
YearGames Played (Starts)GoalsAssists
2013 ()17 (16)55
2014 ()19 (17)93
2015 (Junior)2074
2016 (Senior)0 (Redshirted)00
2017 (Graduate)19 (19)46
Career Total752518

Track and Field Statistics (Triple Jump, 2014–2017)

Charley specialized in the , setting Vanderbilt school records indoors (13.54 m in 2017) and outdoors (13.77 m in 2016 with +1.8 m/s wind). She qualified for NCAA Championships multiple times, earning four All-American honors: 2015 outdoor (3rd place), 2016 indoor (2nd place), 2016 outdoor (2nd place), and 2017 indoor (7th place). She also secured All-SEC honors, including third place indoors in 2017 and fourth outdoors in 2015. No significant or other event records were recorded. Indoor Triple Jump:
YearPersonal Best (Placement)Key Achievement
2014 (Freshman)12.71 m (8th, SEC Championships)SEC Championships qualifier.
2015 (Sophomore)13.24 m (3rd, SEC); 13.16 m (4th, NCAA)First-team All-American (outdoor crossover recognition); school record progression.
2016 (Junior)13.41 m (2nd, NCAA)Second-team All-American; indoor personal best and school record.
2017 (Senior)13.54 m (3rd, SEC); 13.31 m (7th, NCAA)All-SEC (3rd); All-American; indoor school record.
Outdoor Triple Jump:
YearPersonal Best (Placement)Key Achievement
2014 (Freshman)13.13 m (10th, NCAA East Preliminary)NCAA regional qualifier.
2015 (Sophomore)13.49 m (3rd, NCAA); 13.28 m (4th, SEC)First-team All-American; outdoor school record set earlier in season at 13.50 m (NCAA Outdoor).
2016 (Junior)13.77 m w (+1.8, 2nd, NCAA); 13.73 m (2nd, SEC)First-team All-American; outdoor personal best and school record.
2017No major competitions recordedFocused on soccer graduate season.

Career Aggregates Across Both Sports

In soccer, Charley amassed 25 goals and 18 assists over 75 appearances, contributing to Vanderbilt's SEC tournament appearances and upsets, such as the 2017 win over . In , she achieved three NCAA Championship podium finishes (one bronze, two silvers across indoor/outdoor), four All-American selections, and four All-SEC honors, while setting dual school records in the that stood as program benchmarks for her versatility as a two-sport . Her combined efforts earned her induction into the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.

Professional club summaries

Simone Charley's professional club statistics highlight her role as a forward across the NWSL and , with totals encompassing regular season, cup, and playoff matches where applicable. Her career has been marked by significant injury setbacks, including a ruptured in 2023 that limited her to just two appearances with and another rupture in early 2024 that caused her to miss the entire season with the . She returned in 2025, contributing to the Pride's campaign, including an appearance in the NWSL playoff quarterfinal win over on November 7, 2025. The following tables summarize her appearances, goals, and assists by club.

Portland Thorns FC (2019–2021)

Charley joined the in May 2019 and played through the 2021 season, appearing in all competitions including the NWSL regular season, , Fall Series, and .
StatisticTotal
Appearances46
Goals8
Assists2

Canberra United (2019–2020)

Charley was loaned to Canberra United for the 2019–2020 season, where she started every match and established herself as a key scorer.
StatisticTotal
Appearances11
Goals5
Assists1

Angel City FC (2022–2023)

Charley was traded to ahead of its inaugural 2022 season. Her time there was cut short in 2023 by a season-ending Achilles injury sustained in April, after which she appeared in only two substitute roles.
StatisticTotal
Appearances22
Goals2
Assists0

Orlando Pride (2024–2025)

Signed by the in January 2024 on a two-year deal, Charley missed the entire 2024 season due to her Achilles injury but returned in 2025, making substitute appearances and scoring her first goal since 2022 on October 3 against the . She also appeared in the 2025 NWSL playoff quarterfinal.
SeasonStatisticTotal
2024Appearances0
Goals0
Assists0
2025Appearances11
Goals1
Assists0
Across her NWSL and career, Charley has recorded 90 appearances, 16 goals, and 3 assists as of November 2025.

Honors and awards

Team achievements

As a member of the roster in 2024, Charley was part of the team that achieved a historic double, winning both the for the best regular-season record and the NWSL . The Pride clinched the Shield with a regular season record of 18 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses for 60 points, marking the first time the club captured the award. They then defeated the 1-0 in the Championship final on November 23, 2024, at in Kansas City, securing the franchise's first major professional trophy. With the from 2019 to 2021, Charley was part of squads that achieved several key honors. In 2020, the Thorns won the NWSL Fall Series by finishing unbeaten (3 wins, 1 draw) in their group during the disrupted season, earning the Community Shield. The following year, they captured the 2021 with a 6-5 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC after a 1-1 draw, and also secured the by finishing first in the regular season with a 13-5-6 record. Additionally, the Thorns advanced to the 2021 NWSL Championship final as the top seed but fell 2-1 to the . In 2019, the team finished third in the regular season (11-7-6) and reached the playoffs, advancing to the semifinals before losing 1-0 to the Chicago Red Stars. At in 2022 and 2023, the team reached the NWSL for the first time in franchise history during the 2023 season, finishing fifth in the regular season with an 8-7-7 record. They advanced to the quarterfinals but lost 1-0 to OL Reign on October 20, 2023. The club did not qualify for the postseason in 2022, ending the inaugural campaign in eighth place. On loan to Canberra United in the 2019-20 W-League season, the team finished sixth in the regular season standings with a 4-1-7 record, missing the finals series. No additional cup competitions were contested that year due to the league's schedule.

Individual recognitions

Simone Charley's individual recognitions span her collegiate career at , where she excelled in both soccer and , as well as post-collegiate honors celebrating her overall achievements. In soccer, Charley earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2013. She was a three-time All-SEC selection, named to the First Team in 2013 and 2014, and the Second Team in 2017. Additionally, she received NSCAA All-Region honors three times, in 2013, 2014, and 2017, becoming one of only three Vanderbilt players to achieve this distinction. In 2017, she was selected as a Third Team Scholar All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, recognizing her academic and athletic excellence; she was the first Commodore to earn this award since 2010. Internationally, she scored in a 2019 U-23 U.S. win over at the Nordic Tournament. In , Charley secured five First-Team All-American honors in the : indoor in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and outdoor in 2015 and 2016. She won a at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships and a silver medal at the 2016 NCAA Indoor Championships in the event. Charley also earned three-time USTFCCCA All-Academic recognition for her track performances. Beyond competition, Charley received the 2017 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, awarded to just 174 student-athletes nationwide for academic merit and athletic achievement. In 2018, she was named a Sport Winner in the Jr. Sports Scholar Awards, honoring her as a top scholar-athlete. She was inducted into the 2019 Southeastern Conference Women's Legends Class for her dual-sport impact at Vanderbilt. In 2023, Vanderbilt Athletics inducted her into its Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023, lauding her as a two-sport standout who competed in NCAA championships in both soccer and track. In her professional career with the NWSL, Charley has received match-specific accolades, including multiple Heineken Star of the Match awards with the in 2025, such as for her game-winning contributions against the on August 10 and her first goal for the club on October 3.

References

  1. https://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/players/simone-charley/
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  3. https://vucommodores.com/2013-soccer-signees-simone-charley/
  4. https://themaneland.com/2024/01/24/orlando-pride-sign-free-agent-forward-simone-charley/
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  14. https://www.espn.com/blog/high-school/player-of-the-year/post/_/id/7317/return-of-the-poy-alabamas-simone-charley
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