28 Facts About Karen Bardsley

Karen Louise Bardsley was born on 14 October 1984 and is an American-born English former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Karen Bardsley played for Sky Blue FC in the previous top-flight American Women's Professional Soccer league, Linkopings FC in the Swedish Damallsvenskan, Lincoln Ladies plus Manchester City in the FA WSL and OL Reign in the NWSL.

Karen Bardsley played for the England national team and Great Britain internationally.

Karen Bardsley attended Ayala High School and played for the girls' varsity soccer team for two years.

Karen Bardsley was named the Sierra League Most Valuable Player the same year.

Karen Bardsley ran track, threw javelin at an olympic level and was a member of the Olympic Development Program at the regional, state, and national levels.

Karen Bardsley attended California State University, Fullerton as a graphic design major and played for the Titans women's soccer team.

In 2005, Karen Bardsley was named Big West Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and to the All-Big West First Team for the second consecutive season and set new single-season program records for goals against average, victories, and shutouts.

Karen Bardsley was named Player of the Week by the Big West Conference twice during the season.

Karen Bardsley was selected by Sky Blue FC as a third-round pick in the 2009 WPS Draft ahead of the inaugural season of the Women's Professional Soccer league.

Karen Bardsley competed in four games for the club in their 2009 season.

Karen Bardsley announced a transfer to Lincoln Ladies of the FA WSL in November 2012 ahead of the 2013 FA WSL season.

Karen Bardsley was the starting goalkeeper in all 14 matches.

Karen Bardsley moved at the end of the 2013 season to Manchester City on a two-year deal.

Karen Bardsley made her 100th appearance in a Continental Cup match against Liverpool in November 2020.

Karen Bardsley announced her retirement on 2 May 2022 after suffering a long-term injury that forced her to withdraw from Great Britain's squad during the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Karen Bardsley appeared for the England U-19s in the 2003 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship.

In England's quarter final exit to France, Karen Bardsley saved the first penalty in the shootout, but misses from Claire Rafferty and Faye White sent England home.

In May 2015, Karen Bardsley was named to England's final squad for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, hosted in Canada.

Karen Bardsley had previously played as goalkeeper in all five games and was part of the history-making team which beat Norway in the round of 16 to become the first senior England women's team to win a world cup knockout match.

Karen Bardsley was substituted in the 51st minute of the quarter-final match against Canada, after suffering an inflammation of her right eye; she was immediately taken off pitch with her eye visibly swollen and was substituted with Siobhan Chamberlain.

Karen Bardsley played in England's first two Group games but was rested in the final Group game against Portugal.

Karen Bardsley suffered a fractured fibula in England's quarter-final against France and did not take any further part in the tournament.

Karen Bardsley played in two of the matches in the group stage, against Scotland and Japan.

Karen Bardsley played in the round of 16 against Cameroon and in the quarter-final against Norway.

Karen Bardsley was given number 161 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.

Karen Bardsley began coaching as a volunteer coach at her alma mater, California State University, Fullerton, before being employed as an assistant coach with the University of San Diego.

Karen Bardsley graduated with a Master's degree in Sports Directorship at the Manchester Metropolitan University in July 2019.