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Jeff Kassouf
Seattle Reign FC midfielder Jess Fishlock has announced her retirement from international soccer after 20 years with Wales. However, she isn’t finished just yet. Fishlock has signed a one-year contract to remain with the Reign for the 2026 season, which will mark nearly 14 years in Seattle.
“When I returned from the Euros, I noticed a change in my perspective,” Fishlock told ESPN. “Something shifted in my aspirations and direction. I’m still fiercely competitive, which is a significant advantage. Even after 14 years, I’m eager to bring a championship to Seattle.”
As the sole player still active at the NWSL from the league’s inception in 2013, Fishlock continues to make her mark.
Her longtime teammate Lauren Barnes also played every season with Seattle since 2013 but retired at the conclusion of the 2025 season, which ended with the Reign’s quarterfinal exit against the Orlando Pride.
Only two other players from the original NWSL season remain active: Chicago Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and Angel City forward Sydney Leroux. Naeher has yet to make a public declaration about her plans for the next season, while Leroux took a break for mental health reasons and did not play in 2025.
Fishlock was pivotal during the Reign’s dominant seasons in 2014 and 2015 when they won the NWSL Shield. She was honored as the NWSL MVP in 2021.
With 48 goals and 30 assists, Fishlock boasts the most goal contributions in Reign history and has been named to the NWSL’s Best XI seven times.
As she prepares to turn 39 in January, Fishlock led the Reign in scoring during the 2025 season with six goals and two assists. She expressed that she felt a renewed sense of joy at the start of 2025, particularly with new young talent joining the team during a transitional phase, echoing the excitement created by new ownership.
“It’s always been about my physical condition,” Fishlock explained. “While my football knowledge and experience are ever-present, the question is whether my body can keep up with my mind. So far, it has.”
Fishlock credited the Reign organization for allowing her the flexibility to manage her physical well-being, attributing it to her long-standing relationships within the club.
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Fishlock noted that a one-year contract is ideal for her to continuously assess her physical condition.
“Jess has a unique understanding of the game that few players possess, thanks to her extensive experience at the highest level,” said Reign head coach Laura Harvey. “Her tactical intelligence and ability to adapt in critical moments, along with her commitment to lifting her teammates, will be essential in moving this team forward. She’s a role model, and her presence and expertise in the locker room are invaluable as we progress into 2026.”
Fishlock recently announced her retirement from international play after leading Wales to the final stage of the Women’s European Championship for the first time in 2025, marking their first major tournament appearance.
She scored Wales’ inaugural goal in the tournament, making her the oldest goalscorer in Women’s Euro history. The experience was so uplifting for Fishlock that she briefly reconsidered her decision to retire from international soccer, but she is now eager to focus solely on her club career.
Fishlock has experienced Seattle’s journey, celebrating three NWSL Shields while also enduring three losses in the NWSL Championship match.
Throughout her tenure, she has witnessed the team relocate between Seattle and Tacoma, navigated changes in venues, ownership, and branding as they sought to establish a strong connection with their fan base, even attempting to prevent relocation at one point.
That connection continues to motivate Fishlock. She emphasized that even if she thought about playing elsewhere to win a trophy, it wouldn’t hold the same value.
“Going through this journey with a single club — experiencing highs and lows, rebuilding, and moving around Washington to connect with different fan bases — has deepened my connection with the club and its supporters,” she reflected. “The challenges make victories more meaningful, and that emotional investment enhances the experience.”
“Coming from Europe, where stability is more common, I knew from my arrival in Seattle that I wanted to build my entire career here, given the significance this place holds for me.”