Payton Linnehan

Payton Elizabeth Linnehan (born March 25, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League. She was drafted by the Thorns 11th overall in the 2024 NWSL Draft after playing college soccer for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Payton Linnehan

Linnehan with Penn State in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Payton Elizabeth Linnehan
Date of birth	(2001-03-25) March 25, 2001 (age 24)
Place of birth	Milford, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Portland Thorns
Number	15
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2023	Penn State Nittany Lions	90	(34)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2024–	Portland Thorns	3	(1)
International career
2016	United States U15
2017–2018	United States U17
2022	United States U23
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of May 2, 2024

Early life

Linnehan was raised in Douglas, Massachusetts, the daughter of Sheri and Sean Linnehan.^[1] She started playing youth soccer when she was about five years old.^[2] Linnehan played club soccer for FC Stars of Massachusetts starting at age 12.^[2] She attended Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School, playing two years for the soccer team before choosing to focus on club soccer.^[3][4]

College career

Linnehan played for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2019 to 2023. She recorded 34 goals and 24 assists in 90 games.^[5] She was named the most outstanding offensive player of the 2019 Big Ten tournament after scoring the golden goal in the final.^[6] She scored two hat tricks at Penn State: one in the first half of a 2021 match against La Salle^[7] and another against Central Connecticut in the first round of the 2023 NCAA tournament.^[8]

Professional career

The Portland Thorns chose Linnehan with the 11th pick of the 2024 NWSL Draft.^[9][10] She signed for a two-year contract with a mutual third-year option.^[11] She scored 90 seconds into her first start for the Thorns on May 1, 2024, and added an assist to Sophia Smith five minutes later to help beat Bay FC 3–2.^[12]

International career

Linnehan played on the United States national under-15, under-17 and under-23 teams.^[13] She won the Golden Boot of the 2016 CONCACAF Girls' U-15 Championship as the top scorer of the tournament.

Career statistics

As of May 4, 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup[a]		Playoffs[b]		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Portland Thorns FC	2024	NWSL	4	1	—		—		4	1
Career total			4	1	0	0	0	0	4	1

1. Includes the NWSL Challenge Cup.
2. Includes NWSL Playoffs.