The NWSL is home to some of the most talented and dedicated players in women’s soccer. As the league has evolved, a few have secured their place in the record books by achieving the most appearances in the league’s history. These players have demonstrated their exceptional skill, longevity, and unwavering dedication to their respective teams, making them a fundamental part of the league.
Currently, Lauren Barnes holds the record of most appearances made in the NWSL history. She has 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. McCall Zerboni has the 2nd most appearances in the NWSL with 176 appearances across 11 seasons and Jess Fishlock sits 3rd with 180 appearances to her name.
With 176 appearances, Ali Krieger is the 4th most appeared player in the league and Abby Erceg completes the top 5 with 169 appearances.
Lauren Barnes: The NWSL’s Iron Woman with the Most Appearances
Lauren Barnes started her professional career in the NWSL’s inaugural season in 2013, starting with Seattle Reign FC, now known as OL Reign. Barnes was one of only two players on the Reign to play in all 22 matches during the 2013 season along with Christine Nairn. Throughout her 11-season career with the Reign, Barnes missed just 14 of the club’s 214 regular-season matches.
Barnes won the NWSL Defender of the Year award in the 2016 season and was named the 2nd best defender in the 2019 season behind Sauerbrunn.
Barnes was the second player in NWSL history to reach 150 regular-season matches and the first to achieve this milestone with a single club, Seattle Reign FC. By the end of the 2023 season, she had set records for the most matches played, most starts, and most minutes across the league’s 11-year history.
“If I thought I was gonna still be here 11 years ago, I would probably say no,” Barnes said in an interview with Associated Press. “The way the league started off, there’s been huge improvements. There’s definitely a life and an opportunity to make this a lifestyle and a job the last probably three to five years or so. So that’s really promising for the next generations to come and it’s been really fun to be a part of that and build that.”
Apart from OL Reign, Barnes also had loan stints at Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City FC and she also represented the United States at the U-15, U-20, and U-23 levels.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
