Renee Lyles

Renee Lyles
Lyles with the Portland Thorns in 2026
Personal information
Full name Renee Grace Lyles
Date of birth (2002-10-30) October 30, 2002 (age 23)
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Portland Thorns
Number 41
Youth career
Concorde Fire
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

Lyles grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where she attended St. Pius X Catholic High School. She played club soccer for Concorde Fire. As a member of the school's soccer team, she helped St. Pius X win the Georgia Class 4A state championship in 2019. In 2021, she was named the Georgia Class 5A Player of the Year.

College career

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. In 2022, she appeared in 17 matches, making 16 starts, and scored four goals while earning a second consecutive All-ACC Academic Team selection.

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. Lyles suffered a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) during preseason training ahead of the 2024 season, causing her to miss the entire campaign. She returned in 2025, starting all 19 matches while scoring four goals and recording five assists. Lyles finished her collegiate career with 81 appearances and 21 goals.

Club career

Lyles joined the Portland Thorns ahead of the 2026 National Women's Soccer League preseason as a non-roster invitee. 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. On June 9, 2026, she signed a contract extension to remain with the Thorns through the end of the 2026 season. Lyles scored her first professional goal on July 24, 2026, in the 21st minute of a draw against Gotham FC.

References

  1. ↑ "Clemson Commencement Program, December 2024". Clemson University. p. 101. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Concorde Fire College Signings and Verbal Commitments". Concorde Fire. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  3. ↑ Parker, Carla (May 21, 2019). "St. Pius girls bring home another soccer state championship". The Champion Newspaper. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Renee Lyles Profile". Clemson Tigers Athletics. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  5. ↑ "2021 All-ACC Women's Soccer Awards Announced". Atlantic Coast Conference. November 4, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Arthrex Athlete: Clemson Soccer Duo Makes Inspiring Comeback After Knee Surgeries". Arthrex. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Renee Lyles Profile". Portland Thorns FC. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Portland Thorns Announce Final Roster Ahead of 2026 Season". Portland Thorns FC. March 12, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Portland Thorns Extend Renee Lyles, Jennie Immethun". Portland Thorns FC. June 9, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ Munson, Bella (July 25, 2026). "Kerr returns to NWSL scoresheet in dramatic Thorns-Gotham draw". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved July 26, 2026.