Angharad James-Turner Anchors Reign FC's Midfield

The Welsh international has quietly shined all season for the Reign. Now, she and Wales prepare for the Euros.

Thirteen matches into the season, Reign FC has showcased its depth with 12 unique lineups. A solid mix of veterans and newcomers, the squad has had to display tenacity and grit while building chemistry. Through each iteration of the lineup, players like midfielder Angharad James-Turner have helped to keep the team steady.

The Welsh international’s quiet leadership on the pitch cannot go unnoticed this season. From her place in the center of the field, she contributes at the highest level, both defensively and offensively, providing stability for those around her.

James-Turner began her journey with the Reign in January 2024, joining the squad ahead of the regular season. She transferred to the Reign from the FA Women’s Super League’s Tottenham Hotspur, where she had played since 2022.

Her entrance onto the Seattle scene was a slow burn in 2024 – She made 15 regular season appearances and 12 starts, playing a season high of 89 minutes twice. She took six shots, directing three on target, adding one goal for the Reign against the Orlando Pride on May 19. She made 19 tackles and 13 interceptions from her place in the midfield.

Following a busy offseason for Reign FC, the start of the 2025 season saw the return of 18 players who were on the roster last year, including seven midfielders. Among those seven players, just four played in at least 15 matches during the 2024 season, including James-Turner.

"I think this is the hardest league in the world,” said James-Turner. “For me to come over here and transition, it was always going to take some time. Maybe I didn't realize how much time that would take, and I reflected a lot in the offseason. I always looked within first and I always thought last season I could have done better in performances and my performances weren't where I'd quite like them to be. I worked hard in the offseason and made sure I came back a better player.”

This season, James-Turner has undeniably stepped into a bigger role in the center of the field for the Reign, in a subtle but important way. She’s been working to unlock the Reign’s midfield and aid the team in transition.

Her flexibility on the field is highlighted by her ability to find success no matter which lineup Head Coach Laura Harvey fields, though her partnership with fellow midfielder Sam Meza, who recently received her first call up to the senior United States Women’s National Team, has been notably strong. The two command the center of the field, working in tandem to wear down the opponent.

"I think we complement each other quite well and I know that gives me that freedom to get forward because I know Sammy will be right behind me and vice versa. I'm really enjoying it at the minute with Sammy. I think she's having a great season so far and a partnership takes time to build and we're definitely building one.”

Though her name may not be splashed across the scoresheet, her impact has been greatly felt. She has played the second-most minutes of any midfielder on the squad, amassing 22 tackles and seven interceptions, in addition to completing nearly 200 accurate passes.

James-Turner's success this season is characterized by her consistent quality on the pitch that allows those around her to thrive. Her work rate on and off the ball sets her apart in midfield and has provided the Reign opportunities to be more creative in their offensive and defensive tactics.

“I've been telling her a lot that I've been so proud of her and she's been putting in a lot of work, but I think at the end of the day too, if you have the support and confidence you'll do well on this team and you'll do well in this league. So, I think she stepped into those roles pretty well and is continuing to be consistent and reliable and that's one of the best feelings so we're so proud of her,” said Reign FC captain Lauren Barnes.

Now, as the NWSL regular season goes on a month-long hiatus in July, James-Turner steps into another massive role – captain of the Wales Women’s National Team. She and team are gearing up to reach another international milestone – competing in the nation’s first-ever UEFA European Women's Championship campaign.

The 31-year-old was one of four players to captain the Cymru squad during their EURO qualifying campaign and has since been selected as the permanent captain of the squad. The tournament runs from July 2-27 and Wales kicks off their inaugural berth on July 5 against the Netherlands.