Lynn Biyendolo Brings New Energy into Preseason

There was a new face at Reign FC training as the team kicked off its preseason on January 20.

Lynn Biyendolo (Williams) — who was traded to the club during the offseason — joined the Seattle side for the first time and immediately injected new energy into the group..

“Really excited to have Lynn here,” said Head Coach Laura Harvey. “I think she's a huge addition to the club.”

Biyendolo makes the move to Seattle after spending two seasons with Gotham FC. During her stint with the New York side, the winger racked up 12 goals in 40 appearances while supporting the team toward its first-ever NWSL championship in 2023. Last season, she scored her 79th career NWSL goal (across all competitions) to become the league’s all-time leading scorer.

“She's a winner,” said defender Lauren Barnes. “That mentality is going to be great for us.”

Beyond her time at Gotham, Biyendolo has collected three additional league titles and three NWSL Shields between the North Carolina Courage and Western New York Flash. She has also collected numerous individual accolades since her arrival to the league in 2015, including MVP honors (2016), NWSL’s Golden Boot (2016), and spots on the league’s Best XI First Team (2016, 23) and Second Team (2018).

Additionally, she’s accumulated 21 goals and 13 assists with the U.S. Women’s National Team, along with Olympic Bronze and Gold medals, and five SheBelieves Cup titles.

“I'm just a competitor,” said Biyendolo. “I really hate losing.”

An attacking player of her caliber is exactly what the Reign needs to fight for a position at the top of the NWSL table and a chance to compete for trophies.

“Since 2018, [the Reign] have gone into the playoffs and had a playoff run [but] unfortunately, haven't gone over the hill and won a championship,” said Biyendolo. “I'm hopeful that I can come in to help do that.”

In the team’s 29 games played last season, 25 of them were decided by one goal or less. The NWSL’s all-time leading scorer will not only give the team a better chance in these types of close matches, but will provide additional veteran leadership alongside long-time Reign players Jess Fishlock and Barnes.

“Lynn can bring different experiences from around the league, and really educate [our] young players,” said Harvey.

Biyendolo’s presence alone will elevate Reign FC’s already talented attack of midfielder Ji So-Yun, forward Jordyn Huitema and forward Veronica Latsko. Her clever off-ball movement, combination play, and ability to stretch a back line will add variety up front and more goal-scoring opportunities for the Seattle side.

“Lynn is a proven winner, proven goal scorer, a type of forward that we haven't really had at this club for a while,” said Harvey. “And hopefully she can bring that goal-scoring prowess to our team.”

Biyendolo is just one of a few offensive threats who joined the Reign over the offseason. With the combination of the latest acquisitions and the remaining attack from the previous season, Harvey is confident in the team’s offensive threats for the upcoming year.

“The players that we've brought in just add a real new level to what we can put on the field, and we become the most unpredictable team we possibly can be with the likes of Jess and Ji and the way that they play, and Jordyn Huitema, a type of player who wants to play to feet,” said Harvey.

“But the biggest unpredictability about it is having things that are different to that,” she continued. “So I think bringing in the likes of Lynn and Maddie [Dahlien] and I think Emeri [Adames] fits into that mold too, can really change the dynamic of what our attack looks like going forward.”