Charley Boone
Birth dateMarch 26, 2002 (age 24)[1]
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
PositionDefender, midfielder
Youthclubs 1Crossfire Premier SC
Collegeyears 12020–2021
College 1Gonzaga Bulldogs
Collegecaps 12
Collegegoals 10
Collegeyears 22021–2024
College 2Montana Grizzlies
Collegecaps 277
Collegegoals 22
Years 12025
Clubs 1Minnesota Aurora
Caps 111
Goals 10
Years 22025–2026
Clubs 2Spokane Zephyr
Caps 220
Goals 20
Club-update22:57, May 18, 2026 (UTC)

Charley Boone (born March 26, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who most recently played as a defender or midfielder for USL Super League club Spokane Zephyr. After spending the bulk of her college soccer career with the Montana Grizzlies, Boone played one season with Minnesota Aurora FC and was named the 2025 USL W League Defender of the Year.

Early life

A native of Seattle, Washington, Boone was born to parents Jeff and Renee Boone.[2] She has a sister, Georgia, with whom she ended up playing three seasons of college soccer at the University of Montana.[3][4] Boone played club soccer for Crossfire Premier SC, where she was named to the 2019 Surf Cup All-Tournament team.[5] The following year, Boone and Crossfire Premier would win the cup, becoming the second-highest ranked team in the United States.[6] Boone attended Seattle Preparatory School, where, as a freshman, she was named first-team All-Metro.[5] She then transferred to Roosevelt High School and received one conference MVP honor in her senior year.[7]

College career

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Boone played one season for the Gonzaga Bulldogs after leaving high school. She had difficulty breaking into Gonzaga's squad and ended up only playing 7 minutes in 2 appearances across the season.[5] At the end of the campaign, Boone opted to enter the NCAA transfer portal in search of other opportunities.[7]

Montana Grizzlies

Boone, who has multiple familial connections to the state of Montana, ultimately chose to transfer to the University of Montana ahead of the 2021 fall season.[7] In her first season with the Lady Griz, she appeared in 19 matches, mostly as a substitute.[2] Despite often finding herself on the bench, Boone still managed to make an impact on the team. In her second-ever career start, she scored the 87th-minute game-winner in the 2021 Big Sky semifinal match.[8] The Grizzlies would go on to win the championship title and then advance to the NCAA tournament, where they were defeated by Washington State in the first round. Boone received the starting nod for both matches.[2] At the end of her sophomore college season, Boone was named the Grizzlies' Newcomer of the Year and also earned a spot on the Big Sky All-Tournament team.[2]

The following season, Boone cemented herself as a staple in Montana's squad. She started all 20 of the Grizzlies' matches at center back and played all but 44 minutes of the campaign.[2] Boone reached greater heights as a senior, receiving recognition on the All-Big Sky First Team and as the Montana defensive MVP.[3] She led the team in minutes as the Grizzlies posted the best defensive season in Big Sky history, conceding only 9 goals in 19 matches.[2][3]

Boone returned to Montana for a fifth year of soccer as she simultaneously pursued a Master's degree in business.[9] She ended up playing every minute of the season as the Grizzlies' team captain. For the second year in a row, she was named both team defensive MVP and first-team All-Big Sky.[2][10] Near the end of the season, Boone recorded an assist in Montana's 3–0 win over Weber State that clinched a Big Sky season title for the Grizzlies.[2] In total, she played in 77 matches and scored 2 goals across four seasons at Montana.[2] Boone also found success in the classroom, graduating with Magna cum Laude honors and being named a Big Sky Scholar-Athlete midway through 2025.[9][11]

Club career

Minnesota Aurora

After leaving college, Boone joined pre-professional club Minnesota Aurora FC ahead of its 2025 USL W League campaign. In June 2025, she was named to the league's team of the month after strong performances.[12] As the season progressed, Boone cemented her place in the Aurora's lineup, playing in 14 out of the club's 15 games (including all 3 playoff games).[6][13] She helped the team secure first place in the Heartland Division before advancing to the USL W League semifinals, where the Aurora were defeated by Utah United.[14] At the end of the season, Boone was named the league's Defender of the Year.[13] Her performances with the rest of Minnesota's defensive unit had resulted in 10 total shutouts and only 4 goals conceded across the season.[14]

Spokane Zephyr

On August 14, 2025, Boone signed her first professional contract with USL Super League club Spokane Zephyr FC.[15] She made her pro debut on September 13, starting and playing 72 minutes in a 2–0 win over reigning champions Tampa Bay Sun FC.[16][1] The club folded after the season in May 2026.[17]

Career statistics

Club

[1]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupPlayoffsTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Minnesota Aurora FC2025USL W League110—40150
Spokane Zephyr FCUSL Super League10——10
Career total1200040160

Honors

Montana Grizzlies

Individual

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ "Charley Boone - Soccer". Montana Grizzlies. Archived July 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  3. ^ Johnson, Maxwell (2024-09-26). "Boone helps best defense in Big Sky history". Montana Kaimin. Archived February 13, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  4. ^ "Griz add second Boone". Montana Grizzlies. 2022-04-01. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  5. ^ "Charley Boone - Women's Soccer". Gonzaga Bulldogs. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  6. ^ "Charley Boone". Minnesota Aurora. Archived July 17, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  7. ^ "Boone's deep family ties bring her to Montana". NBC Montana. 2021-07-20. Archived August 19, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  8. ^ "Griz win, advance to title match". Montana Grizzlies. 2021-11-05. Archived December 14, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  9. ^ Bowman, Ira (2025-07-24). "Boone and Gradney, Named U.M. Scholar Athletes.". Hi-Line Today. Archived July 25, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  10. ^ Bagby, Vince (2024-11-05). "Griz soccer lands five players on First Team All Conference squad". SWX Sports. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  11. ^ "Boone, Gradney named Big Sky Scholar-Athletes". Montana Grizzlies. 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  12. ^ "W League Team of the Month: June 2025". USL W League. 2025-07-08. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  13. ^ "Minnesota Aurora's Charley Boone is USL-W Defender of the Year". FOX 9. 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  14. ^ Swanson, Shelby (2025-07-16). "Minnesota Aurora's Charley Boone is USL W League Defender of the Year". The Minnesota Star Tribune. Archived July 17, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  15. ^ "Spokane Zephyr FC Signs Gritty Defender and 2025 USL W League Defender of the Year, Charley Boone". USL Spokane. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  16. ^ "Spokane Zephyr FC has Strong Offensive Showing in 2-0 Win Over Tampa Bay Sun FC". USL Spokane. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  17. ^ "Official Zephyr FC Club Statement". Spokane Zephyr FC. 2026-05-20. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  18. ^ "Montana wins seventh Big Sky championship". Montana Grizzlies. 2021-07-11. Retrieved 2025-09-14.