Lauren Barnes Bio
Lauren Kate Barnes (born May 31, 1989) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a defender. Barnes was named NWSL Defender of the Year with Seattle Reign FC in 2016 and was twice named to the league’s Best XI in 2015 and 2016. She won the NWSL Shield with the Reign in 2014, 2015, and 2022. As of 2025, she has played the most-ever games and minutes of any NWSL player.
Early Life and Background
Lauren 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. Rated as the number two overall recruit in the nation by RISE Magazine and Soccer Buzz, she 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. Barnes attended the University of California, Los Angeles (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.
Path to Soccer
During her sophomore year at UCLA, 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, she 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). During her senior year, Barnes played and started 22 of 23 matches, contributing to a defense that surrendered less than a goal a game (0.84). She was a First-Team All-Pac-10 selection and named Third-Team NSCAA All-American. Barnes was selected in the third round (fifteenth overall) of the 2011 WPS Draft by the Philadelphia Independence. She was included on the bench for nine matches but did not make an appearance. The Independence finished second during the regular season with a 13–4–3 record and advanced to the playoffs where they faced the Western New York Flash in the WPS Final.
Lauren Barnes Career
Early Career (2011)
After her draft, Barnes did not play for the Philadelphia Independence but was later selected by the Seattle Reign FC during the 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft as their second pick (tenth pick overall). Barnes was a key component in the Reign’s defense, playing primarily as a center-back throughout the 2013 season. During a home match against FC Kansas City on June 9, 2013, her defensive skill was highlighted when she reached a shot just before it crossed the goal line. She was the only player to start every game that season, tallying 1,949 minutes. After the season ended, Barnes earned team honors for Defender of the Year.
Breakthrough (2014–2025)
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. During her five appearances for the team, she scored two goals and helped the team win the Grand Final, marking the Victory’s first title in history. Following her successful guest stint, Barnes signed with Melbourne Victory the following season on a loan deal. Barnes returned to the Reign for the 2014 season, where the team set a league record unbeaten streak of 16 games. The Reign finished first in the regular season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first time. After defeating the Washington Spirit in the playoff semi-finals, the Reign were ultimately defeated by FC Kansas City during the championship final. In 2016, Barnes won the NWSL Defender of the Year award, marking the first time the award was not won by Becky Sauerbrunn. She became the second player in NWSL history to play in 150 regular season matches and the first to do so for a single club, the Reign. 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 history of the NWSL.
Notable Works and Milestones
Lauren Barnes has been a significant figure in women’s soccer, recognized for her defensive skills and leadership. She has served as the captain for Seattle Reign FC since the 2022 season and signed a two-year contract extension through 2025. On October 10, 2025, Barnes made her record-extending 250th regular-season NWSL appearance.
Lauren Barnes Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Lauren Barnes has received several nominations, including being a finalist for NWSL Defender of the Year multiple times.
Lauren Barnes Awards Won
Lauren Barnes has won notable awards, including the NWSL Defender of the Year in 2016 and the NWSL Shield in 2014, 2015, and 2022.
Lauren Barnes Family
Lauren Barnes was born to Joyce and Gary Barnes.
Personal Life
Details about Lauren Barnes’s personal life are limited, focusing primarily on her professional achievements and contributions to soccer.
