Lauren Barnes

Defender • Age 37

Lauren Kate Barnes is a retired American footballer who played as a defender. She represented the United States at youth international levels.

357 Appearances

6 Goals

13 Trophies

6 Awards

Fun Facts about Lauren

Quirky facts. Inspired by her game.

She has a dog named Paco.

She holds the record for the most appearances (232), starts (224), and minutes played (19,795) in NWSL history—all with Seattle Reign FC.

During NWSL offseasons, Lauren played in Australia's W-League for Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, winning multiple championships and earning individual accolades.

She transitioned to a vegetarian diet in college and later adopted a plant-based lifestyle, motivated by health, animal welfare, and environmental concerns.

Passionate about environmental issues, Lauren has actively worked to incorporate sustainable practices within the sports world, including efforts to reduce plastic use and promote eco-friendly initiatives.

She played youth soccer with Arsenal.

She has coaching experience, having served as an assistant coach for UC Riverside in 2012.

She co-owns Salmon Bay FC together with other Seattle teammates.

She created M.A.D. (Make A Difference) Travel Kits to help athletes reduce their environmental impact on the go.

She volunteers with Football For Her, a nonprofit that supports female and nonbinary youth through mentorship, coaching, and access to professional resources—regardless of financial background.