Seattle Reign FC Captain Lauren Barnes Announces Retirement

After a 13-year career with Seattle Reign FC, defender Lauren ‘Lu’ Barnes will retire at the end of the 2025 NWSL season to conclude her professional career. The Reign will host their final home game of the season on Friday, October 17 as they face Utah Royals FC.

According to the club, Barnes is expected to be available for selection this Friday at Lumen Field.

“From day one, Seattle has been home,” said Barnes. “I’ve grown up here – as a player, a leader and a person. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built and the culture we’ve created. To have spent my entire professional career with this club, in this city, surrounded by the people I love, is something truly special. I’m so grateful to my teammates, coaches, staff and our fans who have supported me through every season. This chapter of my life has been a dream, and I’m excited to take it all in one last time with my Reign family.”

Leaving A Legacy

As a Reign FC original, Barnes has been part of every key milestone with the club. Not only does her leadership as a captain elevate the club to the next level, but her character off the field also embodies humility, advocacy, and justice for others.

Barnes is one of the final four original NWSL players that has been with the league since its inception in 2013, making her a player with numerous records. With Seattle, Barnes has won three NWSL Shield awards (2014, 2015, 2022), and earned the 2016 Defender of the Year award.

The defender was also a key player as they reached the NWSL Championship match on three occasions during her time with the club.

With her consistency in the NWSL, Barnes is also the league’s all-time leader in games played with 250 caps and is the first player that reached 100 regular season wins.

“What makes Lu so rare isn’t just her longevity or her records, it’s her humanity,” said Seattle Reign FC General Manager Lesle Gallimore. “She’s been a leader, a role model and a constant source of strength for this club and the community. You simply don’t see players spend their entire career in one city anymore, and that loyalty speaks volumes about who she is and what Seattle means to her.”

The Heartbeat of the Reign

From her time in Seattle, Barnes has created deep roots with the city, the fans, and with members of the team. Alongside Barnes, midfielder Jess Fishlock is also another Reign original. In the 2023 NWSL season, the club had a total of three Reign originals as Megan Rapinoe was also a long-time player for the club and the trio was nicknamed the club ‘OG’s.’

Head Coach Laura Harvey initially converted Barnes from an outside back to center back and helped shape Barnes into reaching her full potential as a player early on in her career.

“Lu has been the heartbeat of this club since the very beginning,” said Harvey. “She has been the glue that has held us together through the ups and the downs. Everything about who we are, whether it’s our standards, our values or our resilience, Lu has her fingerprints on it all. Throughout her legendary career, Lu has been authentic, selfless and a leader on and off the pitch. It’s been an honor to be a part of her journey, and her legacy will be felt here for generations.”

Fans will have the opportunity to celebrate Barnes at their final home game this Friday at Lumen Field with special $20 tickets available for purchase to honor their No. 3 legend.

“What matters most to me isn’t the number of games I’ve played. It’s the legacy I leave behind,” said Barnes. “As captain of Seattle Reign, I want to show women that they are strong, capable, and can overcome any challenge they face. For young girls, I want to show them that they belong in the sport of soccer, deserve equal opportunities, and that their voices matter.”