Simone Charley

College career 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. Due to her prolific athletic career, Charley was named to the 2019 Southeastern Conference Class of Women's Legends. 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.

College soccer, 2013–2017 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.

Club career

Portland Thorns 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. 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.

Charley scored her first professional goal during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, and scored a second goal during the 2020 NWSL Fall Series. On October 30, 2020, Thorns FC announced that the club had offered Charley a new contract. On January 29, 2021, Thorns FC announced that the club had signed Charley to a two-year contract.

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

Angel City 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. She also drew two penalties. On January 22, 2024, Angel City announced that Charley would not be returning to the club.

Orlando Pride On January 24, 2024, the Orlando Pride announced that they had signed Charley to a two-year contract. 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.

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

Newcastle United 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.

Chicago Stars In July 2026, Charley was signed by USL Super League club Brooklyn FC. Shortly thereafter, she was transferred back to the NWSL, joining the Chicago Stars on a contract through the end of the 2026 league season.

Personal life

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

Career statistics College summary

Club summary

Honors and awards Portland Thorns FC International Champions Cup: 2021 NWSL Shield: 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup: 2021 Orlando Pride

NWSL Shield: 2024 NWSL Championship: 2024