Wikipedia

Lauren Barnes

Lauren Kate Barnes (born May 31, 1989) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Seattle Reign FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played for the Philadelphia Independence in the WPS and represented the United States on the under-15, under-20, and under-23 national teams. As of the end of the 2023 season, she has played the most-ever games and minutes of any NWSL player.

Lauren Barnes
Barnes with the Seattle Reign in 2024
Personal information
Full name Lauren Kate Barnes
Date of birth (1989-05-31) May 31, 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Arcadia, California, United States
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Seattle Reign FC
Number 3
Youth career
Arsenal FC
Beach FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 UCLA Bruins
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011 Philadelphia Independence 0 (0)
2013– Seattle Reign FC 217 (2)
2014 → Melbourne Victory (loan) 15 (4)
2016–2020 → Melbourne City (loan) 26 (0)
2020 → Kristianstads DFF (loan) 11 (0)
International career
2007 United States U20
2010 United States U23
Medal record
Women's soccer
Representing the  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 27, 2024

Early life

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Barnes was born in Arcadia, California, to parents Joyce and Gary Barnes. She attended Upland High School in Upland, California, where she was a four-time first-team All-CIF selection. She was rated as the number two overall recruit in the nation by RISE Magazine and Soccer Buzz and was named Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of California. In 2005 and 2006 she was named Parade All-American, NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-American, and 2006 CIF-Southern Section Co-Player of the Year. In addition to her high school play, Barnes played for local club soccer team, Arsenal FC.[1]

UCLA Bruins, 2007–2010

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Barnes attended UCLA where she played for the Bruins from 2007 to 2010. During her freshman year, she finished the season with one goal and three assists for a total of five points. She was one of six players and just two freshmen to start all 24 matches for the team. She was named to the Soccer America Freshman All-American and Pac-10 All-Freshman Teams. She scored her lone goal for the season in a 3–1 victory over Arizona State and assisted on the game-winning goal in a 3–2 NCAA Quarterfinal victory over University of Portland.[1]

During her sophomore year, Barnes appeared in all 25 matches, starting 24. She ended the season with six points (six assists). Barnes helped the UCLA defense rank first in the country in goals against average (0.23), allowing only six goals in 25 matches. In 2009, Barnes was one of just three players who started all 25 matches and ranked fourth on the team in scoring with 14 points (two goals and ten assists). She tied with Lauren Cheney for the team lead in assists with 10. Barnes scored the game-winning goal in a 3–2 double-overtime victory over Arizona State.[1]

During her senior year, Barnes played and started 22 of 23 matches. She was a leader of the Bruin defense that surrendered less than a goal a game (0.84). Under her direction, the defense posted nine shutouts in 23 matches. She was also a contributor for the offense, ranking second on the team in scoring with 16 points (scoring five goals and providing six assists). She scored game-winning goals in wins over San Diego and Washington State and assisted on the game-winning goal in a 2–1 victory over the University of Central Florida in the NCAA Second Round. She was a First-Team All-Pac-10 selection and named Third-Team NSCAA All-American.[1][2][3][4]

Club career

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Philadelphia Independence, 2011

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Barnes was selected in the third round (fifteenth overall) of the 2011 WPS Draft by the Philadelphia Independence.[5][6] She was included on the bench for nine matches, but did not make an appearance.[7] The Independence finished second during the regular season with a 13–4–3 record. The team advanced to the playoffs where they defeated magicJack 2–0 in the Super Semifinal.[8] They faced regular season winners Western New York Flash in the WPS Final where they were defeated 5–4 in penalty kicks after a 1–1 draw.[9][10]

Seattle Reign FC, 2013–

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External videos
  Barnes' last-minute save vs FC Kansas City on June 9, 2013 retrieved August 24, 2013

Barnes was selected by the Seattle Reign FC during the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft as their second pick (tenth pick overall).[11][12][13] Barnes was key component in the Reign's defense playing primarily as a center-back for the squad throughout the 2013 season. During a home match against FC Kansas City on June 9, 2013, her defensive skill was especially highlighted when she reached a shot just before it crossed the goal line that had bounced over goalkeeper Hope Solo's head. With a diving tackle into the netting, Barnes tipped the ball over the crossbar and out of the goal.[14] Along with teammate Christine Nairn, Barnes was one of only two players on the Reign to play in all 22 matches during the 2013 season. She was the only player to start every game tallying 1,949 minutes. After the season ended, Barnes earned team honors for Defender of the Year.[15][16][17]

 
Barnes in a match against the Boston Breakers, April 2014

Barnes returned to the Reign for the 2014 season. The team set a league record unbeaten streak of 16 games during the first part of the season. During the 16 game stretch, the Reign compiled a 13–0–3 record.[18] The Reign finished first in the regular season clinching the NWSL Shield for the first time.[19] After defeating the Washington Spirit 2–1 in the playoff semi-finals, the Reign were defeated 2–1 by FC Kansas City during the championship final.[20] Following the regular season, Barnes along with goalkeeper Hope Solo and fellow defender Stephanie Cox were named to the Second XI team.[21] Barnes finished the 2014 season having started in 22 of the 23 games in which she played.[22]

After returning to the Reign for the 2015 season, Barnes started in all 20 games of the regular season playing for all 1,800 minutes in the defender position. During an away match against Sky Blue FC on May 9, she scored an equalizer goal resulting in a 1–1 draw.[23] Barnes served two assists throughout the season. The Reign finished the regular season in first place clinching the NWSL Shield for the second consecutive time.[24] After advancing to the playoffs, Seattle faced fourth-place team Washington Spirit and won 3–0, advancing to the championship final.[25] Seattle was ultimately defeated 1–0 by FC Kansas City during the championship final in Portland.[26] Barnes, along with teammates Kim Little, Beverly Yanez, and Jess Fishlock were named to the NWSL Best XI team, and she was a finalist for NWSL Defender of the Year.[27][28]

Barnes won the NWSL Defender of the Year award for the 2016 season, marking the first time the award was not won by Becky Sauerbrunn.[29] She was again a Defender of the Year finalist behind Sauerbrunn in the 2019 season.[30]

On May 15, 2021, Barnes became the second player in NWSL history to play in 150 regular season matches and the first to do so playing for a single club, Seattle Reign FC.[31] By the end of the 2023 season Barnes had appeared in more matches, started more matches, and played more minutes than any player in the 11 year history of the NWSL.[32]

She has served as the captain for Seattle Reign FC since the 2022 season, and on January 10, 2023, she signed a two-year contract extension through the 2025 season.[33]

Loan to Melbourne Victory, 2014

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In January 2014, Barnes joined Seattle Reign FC teammate Jess Fishlock on the Melbourne Victory squad in Australia's W-League as a guest player from the Reign.[34] During her five appearances for the team, she scored two goals and helped the team win the Grand Final where the Victory defeated Brisbane Roar 2–0. Barnes scored the Victory's second goal of the match. The win marked the Victory's first Grand Final title in the history of the team.[35]

Following her successful guest stint, Barnes signed with Melbourne Victory the following season on a loan deal.[36]

Loan to Melbourne City, 2016–2020

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In October 2016, Barnes signed a loan deal with Melbourne City, alongside Seattle Reign FC teammate Jess Fishlock, with whom she previously played at Melbourne Victory.[37] In October 2017, she commenced pre-season training with Melbourne City, re-signing with them for the 2017–18 W-League season.[38] Barnes went on to be awarded Melbourne City W-League Player of the Year and was named to the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) W-League Team of the Year.[39] It was confirmed that Melbourne City re-signed Barnes for the 2018–2019 W-League and 2019/20 seasons.[40][41]

International career

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Barnes has represented the United States at the U-15, U-20, and U-23 levels.[1] In 2010, she helped lead the U-23 team to the 2010 Four Nations Tournament title.[42] In 2016, she received her first senior national team call-up for the 2016 SheBelieves Cup, but did not make an appearance.[43]

FIFA 16 and coaching career

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In 2016, Barnes' likeness was added to FIFA 16 as a player for the U.S. national team.[44] In 2012, she was an assistant coach for Division 1 team, UC Riverside.[45] She has served as a trainer for Beast Mode Soccer along with former teammate Beverly Yanez.[46][47]

Honors

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with Philadelphia Independence
  • WPS Championship runners-up: 2011
with Seattle Reign FC
with Melbourne Victory
  • W-League Championship: 2014
with Melbourne City

United States

  • SheBelieves Cup: 2016

Individual

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Lauren Barnes player profile". UCLA. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  2. ^ "College: Women's D1 All-Americans". ESPN. December 3, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  3. ^ "College: UCLA heads to Sweet 16". ESPN. November 14, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  4. ^ "College: UCLA tops BYU on PKs". ESPN. November 12, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  5. ^ "Former UCLA women's soccer players picked in 2011 Women's Professional Soccer Draft". UCLA Daily Bruin. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  6. ^ "WPS Draft: Alex Morgan is top pick". ESPN. January 14, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  7. ^ Lauren Barnes at Soccerway  
  8. ^ Iezzi, Bill (August 21, 2011). "Independence blank magicJack in semifinal". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  9. ^ "2011 WPS Championship: Western NY Flash Defeats the Philadelphia Independence". Bleacher Report. August 28, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  10. ^ "Harris saves Flash in WPS championship". USA Today. August 27, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  11. ^ "Results: Ochs taken first in NWSL Supplemental Draft". Equalizer Soccer. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  12. ^ "Seattle Reign picks six in NWSL Supplemental Draft, rumored to be acquiring Veronica Perez". Sounder at Heart. February 7, 2013. Archived from the original on February 13, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  13. ^ Drot, Karen. "Seattle Reign FC Supplemental Draft Recap". NWSL News. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  14. ^ "Erika Tymrak's late goal leads FC Kansas City past the Seattle Reign FC, 1–0". NWSL News. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  15. ^ "2013 Team Awards". Seattle Reign FC. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  16. ^ "Megan Rapinoe to return to Lyon for their 2013–14 season". Sounder at Heart. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  17. ^ "Seattle Reign FC reflect on first NWSL season". Goal WA. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  18. ^ "Seattle Reign FC sees unbeaten streak end at 16". The Seattle Times. July 12, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  19. ^ "Reign Dominate Dash to Clinch Shield". Sounder at Heart. July 30, 2014. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  20. ^ Bird, Liviu (August 31, 2014). "FC Kansas City beats Seattle Reign to win NWSL championship". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  21. ^ "NWSL Announces 2014 Best XI". National Women's Soccer League. August 29, 2014. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  22. ^ "2014 Player Statistics". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  23. ^ "Lauren Barnes goal not enough as Reign FC settle for 1–1 tie with Sky Blue FC". The Seattle Times. May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  24. ^ "SEATTLE REIGN WIN NWSL SHIELD FOR 2ND STRAIGHT SEASON". ESPN. August 27, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  25. ^ "Seattle Reign shuts out Washington Spirit, 3–0, in NWSL semifinal". The Seattle Times. September 13, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  26. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (October 1, 2015). "NWSL Championship Game: FC Kansas City 1, Seattle Reign 0 – Live chat and updates recap". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  27. ^ "our Seattle Reign players make NWSL Best XI squad". Sounder at Heart. September 24, 2015. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  28. ^ Flatness, Eric (September 9, 2015). "2015 NWSL Awards have arrived". Reign FC. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via Medium.
  29. ^ "Barnes ends Sauerbrunn's run as top NWSL defender". The Equalizer. October 5, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  30. ^ Levine, Matthew (October 30, 2019). "Utah Royals FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn named 2019 NWSL Defender of the Year". National Women's Soccer League. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019.
  31. ^ "REIGN CELEBRATE LU BARNES' HISTORIC 150TH REGULAR SEASON MATCH". NWSL. May 15, 2021.
  32. ^ Cooper, Jen (2024), "Field Player Registry", Keeper Notes NWSL Almanac, pp. 297
  33. ^ "About 1". OL Reign. October 7, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  34. ^ Trantino, Julian (January 17, 2014). "Barnes joins Melbourne Victory". Football Federation Victoria. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  35. ^ "W-League grand final: Melbourne Victory beat Brisbane Roar for first title". The Guardian. February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  36. ^ "Victory secure American defender". Football Federation Australia. August 27, 2014.
  37. ^ "Melbourne City sign Seattle Reign duo Jessica Fishlock and Lauren Barnes". The Women's Game. October 25, 2016.
  38. ^ "City re-signs Championship winning stars". Melbourne City. October 19, 2017.
  39. ^ "Barnes named City player of the year".
  40. ^ "City confirm five more world class signings".
  41. ^ "Melbourne City FC re-signs three W-League stars - Melbourne City". October 29, 2019.
  42. ^ "Seattle Reign FC sign Supplemental Draft pick Lauren Barnes". NWSL News. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  43. ^ "Lauren Barnes called up to USWNT; HAO returns". Equalizer Soccer. February 26, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  44. ^ "Lauren Barnes". FIFA Almanac. Retrieved May 5, 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  45. ^ "Lauren Barnes staff profile". UC Riverside. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  46. ^ "Beast Mode Soccer Skills Clinic". Beast Mode Soccer. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  47. ^ "Beast Mode Soccer Drill of the Month: Footwork like a pro". Soccer.com. April 13, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  48. ^ Azzi, Alex (October 2, 2022). "OL Reign wins 2022 NWSL Shield, Gotham denies Thorns". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  49. ^ "OL Reign Claim 2022 Women's Cup Title with 2-1 Win over Louisville". King 5. August 20, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
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