Reign FC legend Lu Barnes set to take on new role with the club
Lu Barnes is coming home.
Back on November 7, 2025, the Seattle Reign FC legend and National Women’s Soccer League original laced up her boots for the final match of her glittering professional career.
A 13-year veteran of professional women’s soccer, Barnes finished her career as the NWSL’s all-time leader in games played (250), games started (238) and minutes (20,940). She was a cornerstone of a club that lifted three NWSL Shields and earned plenty of individual accolades along the way, including 2016 NWSL Defender of the year, multiple inclusions on the NWSL Best XI First Team and Second team.
As the Reign travel down to San Jose to take on Bay FC to close out a three-match road swing, Barnes takes on a new role with the team.
The club announced on Tuesday, July 28 that Barnes has joined the coaching staff as an interim assistant coach through the end of the season.
“I have history with so many of the people here,” said Barnes. “It makes it exciting to come back and be in a different role… I thought there was an opportunity to make a difference. That’s what I want to do. I’ve been at this club for so long – as a player and now coming in as a coach – hopefully I can make a positive impact quickly. That’s my goal and my intentions.”
As a player, Barnes was the embodiment of a leader for one of NWSL’s most storied clubs. She blended a calming, steadying presence with a relentless competitive drive. Barnes was a supportive figure in the locker room while always holding everyone accountable to the high standards required to play for Reign FC.
It’s that holistic approach to the game that she plans on bringing to the locker room as a member of the coaching staff.
“My personality as a player is going to be pretty similar to my personality as a coach: being constant, consistent, calm and super prepared,” she said. “Doing the work is what I hope to bring and I know this staff works extremely hard.”
“I just can’t wait to learn. That’s what I’m going in with – this open mind of learning and listening and taking everything in that I possibly can, and then either putting my own spin on it or my own uniqueness of being a former player that just recently retired.”
Since returning from the summer break, Reign FC has posted two notable wins – one of which came in front of a home crowd at Lumen Field. As the country comes down from the excitement of FIFA Men’s World Cup, there’s a palpable energy for soccer throughout the city of Seattle. Hundreds of thousands of fans have filled watch parties and bars to watch the high-octane matches. Barnes is hopeful that renewed sense of passion for the beautiful game can carry over into the rest of Reign FC’s season.
“It’s made the city fall in love with this sport again, and I hope that we can continue to grow that love,” she said. “Whether it’s in little girls, little boys, or any type of fan that wants to show up – we bring that energy as well and they can have a similar experience when they come to Lumen and watch these incredible women do what they do. I hope that incredible energy rolls over because I think the Reign deserve that as well.”
“There’s no place in the world that can show out like Seattle does.”
After taking on Bay FC at PayPal Park, the Reign return home to Lumen Field to take on Angel City FC in the club’s RISE Together Match. For the second consecutive season, Reign FC invites fans to not only enjoy the excitement of a highly-contested NWSL match, but to come together as a collective to make a positive impact in the community.
Fans can still purchase tickets to the match to secure their spot at Lumen Field and be a part of one of the most meaningful matches of the season. Single match tickets are available HERE.
In addition, there are still spots open through our brand-new Kids 12 & Under Free program – make sure to move fast and get your tickets today!
