Reign Original Lauren Barnes to Retire at the End of 2025 Season
Seattle Reign defender Lauren Barnes dribbles during a NWSL match against the Portland Thorns on Friday, April 18, 2025 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash. (Jane Gershovich / Reign FC Communications)
Few figures in Seattle sports have meant more to their respective organizations than Seattle Reign defender Lauren "Lu" Barnes.
The 13-year veteran, an NWSL and Seattle original, has seen every phase of what's developed into one of the most prominent women's sports leagues on the planet since 2013 and just celebrated her league-record 250th career game last Friday in a draw with Bay FC. With three NWSL Shields and a 2016 Defensive Player of the Year award to her name, Barnes and the Reign announced Monday that she would be retiring at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.
“It’s just been a wild journey,” Barnes said after last Friday’s game. “If you asked me in 2013 that I’d be sitting here talking about 250 games, I would probably just laugh. It’s just been an honor … I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Barnes, 36, has been one of the veterans who played alongside club and country legends such as Megan Rapinoe, bringing that experience to a younger Reign team as it presses into the future. She’s seen this club at its highest and guided the franchise through lean years — last season’s 13th-place finish comes to mind — in partnership with other veterans like Sofia Huerta and Jess Fishlock, and head coach Laura Harvey. But for Fishlock, Barnes’ impact stands out.
“I don’t think there’s anyone better for any organization to have picked up 13 years ago and allowed to lead the way she has … I love her dearly,” Fishlock said of Barnes, also after last Friday’s draw.
With the timing of the news, the Reign (9-7-8, fifth) will be celebrating Barnes' career at their final home fixture of the regular season against the Utah Royals on Friday night at Lumen Field. While Seattle can’t win another shield for Barnes, the Reign will have added motivation to make some noise in what promises to be one of the most competitive playoff fields in league history in November.
"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," Barnes said in a team press release.