Melbourne Victory Women’s new guest signing Lauren Barnes is excited by the challenge of playing in Australia and teaming up with her Seattle Reign teammate Jess Fishlock.
Fishlock was a key figure in bringing Barnes to Melbourne having set the ball rolling by getting Barnes in touch with head coach Dave Edmondson.
Barnes admitted she was grateful of the effort Fishlock put in to help her settle, especially with so many new faces to learn in training before the weekend’s trip to Newcastle.
“Jess is my roommate, she’s been awesome and has really got me involved and made me feel comfortable,” she said.
“We worked a little bit with the back line [in training] so I know a couple [of teammates] – it’s all brand new faces which is awesome.”
While the American defender possesses limited knowledge of Australian football, she’s heard only positive things about the W-League.
“I’ve heard a lot about it because it’s definitely coming up and the level of the league is definitely being noticed,” Barnes said.
“I know there’s a couple girls in Western Australia that I know from the [American] leagues so it’s awesome that people are coming from America over here.
“The American league is super physical and fast – it’s going to be good to compare and see what it is.
“I’m just loving getting training in and games in so it’s been great.”
One Australian footballer that Barnes does know is Lisa De Vanna, who plays for Sky Blue FC in the NWSL, where she cuts a much more intimidating figure playing against her.
“I know De Vanna because she’s played in the league with us and then played against her and have known of her since I was younger,” she said.
“It’s fun to play with her and not against her so it’s awesome.”
Barnes grew up in California and has an interesting footballing background.
She joined the Arsenal FC US Academy in her youth days before moving onto college soccer with University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
After graduating she was drafted in her rookie year to the now defunct Philadelphia Independence, but her time there was short lived and she took a break from playing before being drafted to Seattle in the new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
“I just got drafted to Philly and then I actually stopped playing and decided to coach at the University in Division One in California,” she said.
“I missed the soccer so much watching the other girls play it so I knew I had to get back into it.
“I put my name back in the draft, got drafted to Seattle, had a pretty decent year for myself and now I’m here.”
Barnes has also been a part of the US Women’s national team setup since the age of 14, and while she’s yet to earn a senior cap, she hopes that this move will improve her chances of getting a call-up.
“I’ve been in and out with youth teams since 14 years old and I’m 24 now so I’m just too old for the U23s and would love to start getting into the senior team so this is a great way to continue to play soccer and still get my name out there,” she said.
Barnes will wear the number 22, incidentally the same number Fishlock wore in her guest stint last season.
Photo by Zee Ko