TUKWILA — This is part of a cycle. At least that’s what Lu Barnes noticed in her time with the Seattle Reign FC.
Every three years or so, there’s a significant change within the club. Since the inaugural season in 2013, the roster has dealt with the departure of key players such as goal scorers Kim Little in 2016 and Bev Yanez in 2019. There have also been three different ownership groups, four coaching changes, and even multiple variations of the club’s name.
The Reign have won through it all, collecting three NWSL Shields, making seven playoff appearances and reaching the championship match three times, including last year.
Still, this season is more than change — it’s a seismic shift.
Global icon Megan Rapinoe headlines the massive roster turnover. Fellow U.S. internationals in midfielders Emily Sonnett and Rose Lavelle didn’t have the decade-long tenure as Rapinoe, but Sonnett was integral to the Reign making the playoff finals while Lavelle — who played four regular-season matches due to injury — had an assist and goal in the postseason run. Both signed with NJ/NY Gotham FC as free agents.
The Reign proved their depth in goal when keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce transferred to Manchester United in September 2023 and Claudia Dickey closed the schedule with three clean sheets. But role players in defender Sam Hiatt (trade), midfielder Angelina (free agency), forward Elyse Bennett (expansion draft) and midfielder Alyssa Malonson (expansion draft) are also gone.
There’s even another round of ownership uncertainty.
Fluctuation like the Reign’s would dizzy and disrupt most players and fan bases. But where cracks and confusion are expected, there’s Barnes, who is known as “the glue”.
“We have a saying between the leadership group that we eat crap off the field so that when we get on it, the players don’t have to think about that,” said Reign coach Laura Harvey, who returned in August 2022 for her second stint at the helm since originally leading the team in 2013-17. “They often don’t even know as a collective that we’ve had to do that. Lu has been at the forefront of that for a long time. She’s understood that part of her role as captain is to do so.”
In her 12th season, the club captain is determined to again steady the Reign so it can remain successful. The season kicks off Sunday with the Reign hosting the Washington Spirit at Lumen Field.
In terms of glue, Barnes has evolved from the schoolhouse version to an epoxy resin — if you can shake her out of the bottle.
“I’m severely introverted,” Barnes said. “I’m not a big yeller, I’m not going to be in someone’s face. I love to connect with people, earn trust and be able to lead that way. That’s really important for me.”
The Southern California native joined the Reign as a supplemental draft pick. Blending into a roster with megawatt personalities like Rapinoe, midfielder Jess Fishlock and goalkeeper Hope Solo wasn’t easy.
The then-eight-team NWSL was also trying to find its footing. Barnes followed the way of former University of Portland star Keelin Winters. The defender was a natural leader whereas Barnes needed a day of rest after being social.
Social is a questionable term for Barnes, who’s also known for leaving unannounced after adequate “face time” at functions to avoid attention and fanfare.
But the nature of the Reign roster demanded strong leadership. It was three-pronged, yet with club originals Rapinoe and Fishlock often away with the U.S. and Wales teams, respectively, someone had to provide hands-on guidance and direction in Seattle (and when the team moved its headquarters to Tacoma).
When Winters left the team in 2016, Barnes was officially that player.
“It took a lot out of me to be that person, but I knew I wanted to be,” Barnes said. “The last couple of years, it’s been difficult for me as a leader because it’s such a different generation now.
“I’m having to learn and adapt because what I was taught as a younger player in my college and professional career is very different from where the younger girls coming in are. It’s been really interesting to learn that and change my ways when I can in a positive way to continue to lead.”
Social media and NIL deals helped make the new edition of athletes more media savvy and aware of how to conduct themselves like pros. Better resources and trainers on the collegiate level have helped the players enter the league ready to make an immediate impact.
But it’s hard to teach longevity and consistency. That’s where Rapinoe, Fishlock and especially Barnes remain invaluable. The latter holds the NWSL record in appearances (222), starts (218) and minutes played (19,312), through all competitions, making her the most experienced player in the league.
“Being authentic and offering what I can as a senior player to these younger players, so they can have a successful, fun, healthy career is important,” Barnes said. “As much as they’re giving me life, I want to give that back as well.”
The past two seasons have been a merry-go-round. Harvey started 21 different lineups in 2022 and utilized seven different players along the back line last year. The constant was Barnes, who was available in all but for three matches in 2022.
Injuries and international call-ups forced the bulk of Harvey’s previous changes. This season likely will be influenced by trying to find reliable players on a youthful roster with an influx of star internationals in midfielders Ji So-yun (South Korea), Lily Woodham (Wales) and Angharad “Haz” James (Wales).
There’s built-in chemistry with the Welsh players while Fishlock and Ji showed promise in the midfield during preseason matches together. Reign forwards Bethany Balcer and Canadian international Jordyn Huitema should provide the scoring.
The Reign might see the most changes on defense. U.S. internationals Alana Cook and Sofia Huerta are returning and Phoebe McClernon swiped a starting spot from Hiatt to close the season. But how will third-year defender Ryanne Brown, second-year defender Shae Holmes and Julia Lester, who played center back the past two seasons for Racing Louisville, fold into the rotation?
“We’ve tried to add a little bit of unpredictability to us,” Harvey said of wanting to improve on the ball while keeping the reputation as a superior defensive team. “Add some layers to our game to catch an opponent off guard … The mindset of the whole preseason is yeah, we lost some players but it’s opportunity.”
Barnes called the blending of ages and experience a “beautiful story” that’s she’s co-authoring with Fishlock.
“Trying to mash that up for me has been exciting in this role,” Barnes said.
To recharge, she spent the offseason traveling with past and current teammates. One vacation was to Brazil to visit Angelina, who signed with the Orlando Pride. Another getaway was nearly two weeks in Wales to spend time with Fishlock’s family in-person and attend the midfielder’s wedding to Reign forward Tziarra King.
But one of her best offseason moments happened at home at the Sports Star of the Year banquet where she saw Rapinoe accept the Paul G. Allen Humanitarian of the Year honor. Barnes said it wasn’t until preseason training camp that she felt how much she was going to miss her teammate turned best friend.
Rapinoe ended her 11-year NWSL career as the Reign’s all-time leading scorer (54 goals) and boldest advocate for issues from equal pay to trans rights.
But it won’t be a void. Rapinoe remains in the group chat and represented in the locker room. Barnes will keep everything else intact as the club enters a new era.
“If my heart is filled, then I’m going to be successful on the field,” Barnes said.
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.