The Seattle Reign has officially renewed Lauren Barnes' contract, one of the most iconic figures in NWSL history. At 35, Barnes returns for her 13th season with the club, carrying a career that goes beyond the field to deep impact within the women's soccer community.
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Barnes is important for the Reign because
Since first putting on the Reign jersey in 2013, Lauren Barnes has built an impressive trajectory. Having played 232 regular-season games-most in NWSL history-she has established herself as a pillar in defense and a reference for her teammates.
Barnes, besides being a constant presence, has grown to be an important part of Seattle Reign FC, underlined by general manager Lesle Gallimore: "Since the beginning, Lu has been the heart and soul of this club. Her legacy here is second to none."
Records that consolidate her relevance
The numbers say much about Lauren Barnes: leader in games played-232, games started-224, minutes played-19,795; only player to appear in at least 20 matches in each of the league's first 11 seasons, including playoffs. During this time, she has been part of three league finals and seven playoff appearances in 11 seasons while leading the Reign.
Her individual achievements are also of the highest order: in 2016, Barnes was named NWSL Defender of the Year, twice featured in the NWSL Best XI First Team and twice in the Second Team. This is a demonstration of her technical skill and how consistent she plays her role.
Leader on and off the pitch
Lauren Barnes is a great defender on the pitch, while off the pitch, she has always been a catalyst for building connections and touching lives. In 2022, Lauren Barnes was nominated for the Nationwide Community Impact Award because she has always voiced her support for certain social causes.
Furthermore, Barnes is an outspoken voice in sustainability and equality in sports. She has donated part of her salary to Common Goal, an initiative funding projects like Football For Her, a nonprofit organization building safe spaces for young female players. Her involvement with Players for the Planet speaks to her dedication to environmental topics like the elimination of plastics, encouraging recycling, and promoting the conservation of natural resources.
Consistency and commitment
Barnes played 21 games last season-proof that, with the years passing, she is still important to Reign. With 60 clearances and an accuracy of 86% of her passes, she was the standout performer in a team balancing experience with renewal. These numbers underline the fact that her presence is not symbolic but technical and tactical.