Lauren Barnes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
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 36)
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 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 27, 2024

Lauren Kate Barnes (born May 31, 1989) is an American professional soccer player. She plays as a defender for Seattle Reign FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She also played for the Philadelphia Independence and represented the United States on various youth national teams. Lauren Barnes holds the record for playing the most games and minutes of any NWSL player.

Early Life and High School Soccer

Lauren Barnes was born in Arcadia, California. She grew up playing soccer and attended Upland High School. During her time there, she was chosen for the All-CIF team four times. She was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year for California.

Lauren was considered one of the top soccer recruits in the country. She played for a local club team called Arsenal FC.

College Soccer at UCLA (2007–2010)

Lauren Barnes played college soccer for the UCLA Bruins from 2007 to 2010. As a freshman, she started all 24 games. She scored one goal and made three assists. She was named to the Soccer America Freshman All-American team.

In her second year, Lauren played in 25 games and started 24. She helped the UCLA defense become one of the best in the country. They allowed only six goals in 25 matches. In 2009, she started all 25 games and was a key player for the team's offense. She scored two goals and had ten assists.

During her senior year, Lauren started 22 of 23 games. She was a leader for the defense, which had nine shutouts. She also helped the offense, scoring five goals and making six assists. She was recognized as a First-Team All-Pac-10 player.

Professional Club Career

Philadelphia Independence (2011)

In 2011, Lauren Barnes was chosen by the Philadelphia Independence in the WPS Draft. She was on the team's bench for nine games. The Independence finished second in the league that season. They made it to the championship final but lost in a penalty shootout.

Seattle Reign FC (2013–Present)

Lauren Barnes joined Seattle Reign FC in 2013. She was a very important part of the team's defense. She played mainly as a center-back. In her first season, she played in all 22 matches and started every single one. She was named the team's Defender of the Year.

Barnes in a match against the Boston Breakers, April 2014

In 2014, the Reign had an amazing season. They went 16 games without losing, which was a league record. They won the NWSL Shield for finishing first in the regular season. Lauren started 22 of the 23 games she played. She was named to the NWSL Second XI team.

Lauren continued to be a strong defender for the Reign in 2015. She started all 20 regular season games. She scored one goal and had two assists. The Reign won the NWSL Shield again. Lauren was named to the NWSL Best XI team and was a finalist for Defender of the Year.

In 2016, Lauren Barnes won the NWSL Defender of the Year award. This was a big achievement. By the end of the 2023 season, she had played more games and minutes than any other player in NWSL history. She has been the captain for Seattle Reign FC since the 2022 season. She signed a new contract in 2023 to stay with the team until 2025.

Loan to Melbourne Victory (2014)

In 2014, Lauren Barnes played for Melbourne Victory in Australia. She was a guest player from Seattle Reign FC. She scored two goals in five games. She helped the team win the Grand Final, which was their first championship title.

Loan to Melbourne City (2016–2020)

Lauren Barnes also played for Melbourne City in Australia from 2016 to 2020. She won the Melbourne City W-League Player of the Year award. She was also named to the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) W-League Team of the Year. She helped Melbourne City win the W-League Championship three times.

International Soccer Career

Lauren Barnes has played for the United States national teams at different age levels. She played for the U-15, U-20, and U-23 teams. In 2010, she helped the U-23 team win the Four Nations Tournament. In 2016, she was called up to the senior national team for the first time.

Coaching Experience

In 2012, Lauren Barnes was an assistant coach for the UC Riverside soccer team. She has also worked as a trainer for Beast Mode Soccer.

Honors and Awards

Lauren Barnes has won many awards and championships throughout her career:

with Philadelphia Independence

• WPS Championship runners-up: 2011

with Seattle Reign FC

• NWSL Shield: 2014, 2015, 2022
• The Women's Cup: 2022
• NWSL Championship runners-up: 2014, 2015, 2023

with Melbourne Victory

• W-League Championship: 2014

with Melbourne City

• W-League Championship: 2017, 2018, 2020
• W-League Premiership: 2019–20

United States

• SheBelieves Cup: 2016

Individual Awards

• NWSL Defender of the Year: 2016
• NWSL Best XI: 2015, 2016
• NWSL Second XI: 2014, 2019
• PFA W-League Team of the Year: 2017–18

See also

• List of UCLA people
• United States at the 2007 Pan American Games