On This Day in Reign History: Reign Drafts Lauren Barnes

On February 7, 2013, Lauren Barnes was selected by the Reign with its second pick in the NWSL Supplemental Draft. Barnes, who is entering her tenth season with the Reign, has remained with the team ever since, leading the Reign’s backline.

2013

Barnes was immediately a key piece in the Reign’s lineup for the 2013 season, playing primarily center back. She was one of two players to appear in every match during the Reign’s inaugural season and the only player to start each match. She accumulated nearly 2,000 minutes of playing time in which she displayed her incredible defensive skill and earned one assist.

2014 and 2015

The standout defender was back for the 2014 season in which the Reign earned the club’s first ever NWSL Shield after taking first place in the regular season. The Reign’s backline, led by Barnes, was essential to the team’s record-setting 16 game unbeaten streak. Barnes made 22 starts in 23 appearances. Though the team ultimately fell to FC Kansas City in the NWSL Championship, Barnes earned a spot the NWSL Second XI team after the season concluded.

In 2015, Barnes started every match of the season, playing for all 1,800 minutes. She earned her first Reign goal against Sky Blue FC on May 9, 2015. That goal was the equalizing goal of the match and secured an important point on the road for the Reign. Barnes and the Reign once again earned the NWSL Shield in 2015 and advanced to the final once again. Following the season, Barnes was named to the NWSL Best XI.

2016 and 2017

Continuing to play an important role on the team, Barnes started and played in 20 matches in 2016. She scored one goal for the Reign and earned two assists. Her goal was scored on the road against Chicago in a game that ended in a 2-2 draw. The Reign narrowly missed the playoffs this season, but Barnes was named to the NWSL Best XI and took home the title of NWSL Defender of the Year.

Back for 2017, Barnes really cemented her place as a leader on team, on and off the field. She appeared in 22 matches in 2017, making 21 starts. Ahead of the 2017, Barnes was named co-captain of the team, alongside teammate and friend, Jess Fishlock. The Reign narrowly missed the playoffs again this season.

2018 and 2019

2018 brought another stellar season for the Reign defender. She played in 19 matches and made 18 starts, for 1,679 minutes of playing time. She also spent time on loan with Melbourne City, where she was named Melbourne City’s W-League Player of the Year and was also named to the PFA W-League Team of the Year for the 2017-2018 season.

During the 2019 season, Barnes started and played all 90 minutes in 23 matches for the Reign. She was a Defender of the Year finalist and was named to the NWSL Second XI for her efforts throughout the season. OL Reign made it to the NWSL semifinals in the 2019 season.

2020 and 2021

In 2020, Barnes played on loan with Kristianstad in the Damallsvenskan, where she stared and played all 90 minutes in 11 matches and earned one assist. She also played all 90 minutes of four NWSL Challenge Cup matches for OL Reign.

The 2021 season, Barnes’ ninth season with the Reign, brought a milestone occasion – 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. She played in 22 regular season games for a total of 1,876 minutes.

Beyond her play on the field, Barnes helped to shape OL Reign’s culture over the last ten seasons and continues to show up as a leader, on and off the field. She has been an important part of the club’s sustainability efforts and is actively involved with OL Reign Academy.