Karen Louise Bardsley
(born 14 October 1984, in Santa Monica, California) is an
American-born, English international football goalkeeper. She currently
plays for Linköpings FC of the Swedish Damallsvenskan and is a member of
the England women's national football team.
Despite being born in Santa Monica, California, Bardsley decided to represent England through parentage. She appeared for the England U-19s in the 2003 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship. She made her senior debut in the Algarve Cup in March 2005, where England beat Northern Ireland 4–0. In August 2009, she was named to coach Hope Powell's squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2009.
Despite being born in Santa Monica, California, Bardsley decided to represent England through parentage. She appeared for the England U-19s in the 2003 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship. She made her senior debut in the Algarve Cup in March 2005, where England beat Northern Ireland 4–0. In August 2009, she was named to coach Hope Powell's squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2009.
By the 2011 World Cup Bardsley had taken over the national team's first choice goalkeeping position from Rachel Brown. After England's 1–1 opening group match draw with Mexico, coach Powell reported that Bardsley was "devastated" following the concession of a long–range equaliser to Mónica Ocampo. In England's quarter final exit to France, Bardsley saved the first penalty in the shootout, but misses from Claire Rafferty and Faye White sent England home.
