Michelle Pao played for Pepperdine during her college years between 2010 and 2014; and is the first player of the university to earn four-time All-WCC first team honors; and was also four-time NSCAA All-West Region pick.[3]
In February 2016, Japan Women's Football League Division 2 club Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara announced that the club had signed Pao.[5] Pao finished the 2016 season as the top scorer with 11 goals in the 2016 L. League Division 2.[6] Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara finished first in the Division 2 and thus promoted first in history to the Division 1.[7]
On 8 December 2017, Pao announced her retirement from professional soccer career at the end of the 2017 season.[8]
Taiwan women's league
Since 2018 season, she joined Taichung Blue Whale, a semi-professional club playing in Taiwan Mulan Football League.[9]
Due to cancellation of matches starting in May 2021 just after her 29th birthday in September she said would be leaving Taichung Blue Whale to return to California.