OL Reign announced a number of moves on Wednesday, re-signing Megan Rapinoe, Bethany Balcer and Lauren Barnes.
Rapinoe has re-signed with the club on a one-year deal. The forward has been with the club since 2013 and is one of three original players remaining with the club. In total, she’s made nearly 90 appearances in the regular season for the Reign, scoring a club-high 40 regular season goals. During the 2021 season Rapinoe made 12 appearances, scoring six goals and tallying three assists.
A staple on the USWNT since 2006, she’s logged 187 appearances for the team, which includes two World Cup wins, an Olympic gold medal and an Olympic bronze.
“Megan joined our club in 2013 already a world-class talent, and over the last decade has done the work on and off the field to transform herself into a global icon who now transcends the sport,” said OL Reign CEO Bill Predmore. “Beyond the direct impact her talent and creativity bring to the team, her confidence and swagger is infectious—it makes every player around her better.”
Balcer also re-upped with the club on a three-year deal with a club option for an additional year. The 2021 season was Balcer’s best yet with the Reign, finishing as the club’s leading goal scorer and second in the race for the NWSL Golden Boot. Through 24 games, she scored nine total goals.
Balcer has been a member of the Reign since 2019. That year, she won NWSL Rookie of the Year after scoring six goals and adding two assists through 25 appearances.
“Bethany’s talent and tenacity has allowed her to exceed all expectations since her first day with the club. While she has consistently been one of the most impactful players in our squad and in the NWSL, we believe she has the opportunity and ability to achieve even more in her career,” said Predmore.
Barnes was the final deal announced by the club, a one-year deal with a one-year option. Like Rapinoe, Barnes has been with the club since its inaugural season in 2013.
A seasoned defender, Barnes made 22 appearances for the club during the 2021 seasons. She made 64 clearances, 40 interceptions and seven blocks throughout the season.
With the most appearances of any player for the Reign (183), she is just the second player in NWSL history to play in 150 regular season matches and the first to do so with a single club.
“Above and beyond her performances on the pitch, Lu has always embodied the values, spirit, and ambition of our club, and has been a driving force behind all we’ve strived to achieve on and off the field,” said Predmore. “I am excited that she’ll finally have the opportunity to play on the biggest stage our city has to offer.”
The club also announced on Wednesday that they had re-signed Rose Lavelle to a two-year deal.