It’s been an eventful Concacaf Olympic qualifying campaign for the Canadian women’s team.
Not only did Canada secure a berth at this summer’s Tokyo Olympics, but captain Christine Sinclair also became the greatest-ever goalscorer in international soccer, for both men and women, when she scored her 185th goal in the team’s 11-0 win against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Canada went undefeated over the group stage, as that win over Saint Kitts and Nevis was followed by a 9-0 victory over Jamaica, and a 2-0 decision against Mexico.
The Reds stamped their passport for Japan with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in the tournament semifinals. But they’re still not done, as the United States awaits them in Sunday’s final.
Here’s CanPL.ca’s full coverage of Canada’s Olympic qualifying campaign and Sinclair’s record-breaking moment.
CanWNT clinches berth for 2020 Olympics with shutout win over Costa Rica
The Canadian women’s team is Tokyo bound. Canada booked its spot at this summer’s Tokyo Olympics after a hard-fought 1-0 over Costa Rica in the semifinals of the Concacaf Olympic qualifying tournament. || FULL STORY
CanWNT’s Ashley Lawrence takes ‘best fullback in the world’ label with stride
Canadian women’s team coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller doesn’t mince words when speaking about Ashley Lawrence. “From my point of view, she’s the best fullback in the world, by far,” Heiner-Møller told reporters last week on the eve of Canada’s opening game at the Concacaf Olympic qualifying tournament. || FULL STORY
Sophie Schmidt closes in on exclusive 200-cap club for CanWNT
Veteran Canadian midfielder Sophie Schmidt will become a member of the 200 cap club at some point this year, but she didn’t even know she was closing in on the special milestone when recently informed of it by CanPL.ca. || FULL STORY
‘She has a long future with this team’: Sinclair touts canWNT youngster Julia Grosso
How good is 19-year-old midfielder Julia Grosso? “She can do whatever she wants in this game, she’s that talented. … She has a long future with this team,” Christine Sinclair told CanPL.ca. || FULL STORY
Christine Sinclair scores 186th goal as CanWNT moves closer to Olympic berth
Christine Sinclair scored her 186th goal against Mexico, giving Canada a 2-0 win in its final group stage match, and setting up a date with Costa Rica for a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. || FULL STORY
Huitema scores 5, CanWNT dismantles Jamaica without Sinclair at Olympic qualifiers
Canada roared to a 9-0 win over Jamaica in its second match of the group stage. Jordyn Huitema scored five for the Canadians, and the Reds improved their record to 2-0. || FULL STORY
Huitema roars back to life for CanWNT after lengthy scoring slump
Teenager Jordyn Huitema was humbled after her goal haul vs. Jamaica. Her teammates had lots to say about her play, though. “She’s world-class,” teammate Janine Beckie said of Huitema. || FULL STORY
Christine Sinclair breaks goals record in CanWNT’s Olympic qualifying win
Iconic Canadian captain Christine Sinclair etched her name into the history books when she scored twice in an 11-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis in Canada’s opening game of the Concacaf Olympic qualifying tournament. || FULL STORY
Here is CanPL.ca’s full coverage of Sinclair’s historic feat.
Christine Sinclair nets 185th goal to break international record
Christine Sinclair became world football’s all-time leading goalscorer in their first match against Saint Kitts and Nevis, grabbing the 184th and 185th goals of her international career. || FULL STORY
MOSCATO: A salute to a friend and legend, Christine Sinclair
“She turned heads and made people believe in Canadians. It was her ability to be in the right place at the right time and score some of the most iconic and important goals for our country that we all admire. But as Heiner-Møller recently said, ‘she is so much more than that.’ I couldn’t agree more…” — an ode from Sinclair’s former teammate, Carmelina Moscato. || FULL STORY
WATCH: Christine Sinclair ties, then breaks, international scoring record
Why not take a step back and relive the iconic moment on OneSoccer? Sinclair scored her 185th goal in the 24th minute to break Abby Wambach’s mark, and take sole ownership of the title. || FULL STORY
4 moments that drove Christine Sinclair’s rise to stardom
From making awfully good first impressions as a 16-year-old to taking Canada to the Olympic podium, Sinclair’s career has been a special one. || FULL STORY
Christine Sinclair by the Numbers: 5 figures that define her CanWNT career
More than just 185. Here’s a look at her career by the numbers, including how many countries she has managed to scored against. || FULL STORY
Memories of Christine Sinclair: In the words of her teammates and coaches
In this three-part series, CanPL.ca’s Sandra Prusina asks Sinclair’s former colleagues to tell stories, give memories, and congratulate the all-time leading scorer. || PART 1 || PART 2 || PART 3
The next top scorer: Will Sinclair’s record stand the test of time?
CanPL.ca’s Armen Bedakian asks if Sinclair’s record will ever be broken. Is a near-200 goal total insurmountable in the modern game? Is 2020 a different time from 2010 and before? || FULL STORY
Christine Sinclair proudly flies flag of Canadian soccer on international stage
A column from CanPL.ca’s John Molinaro on Sinclair’s influence on Canadian soccer:
“In case you don’t fully understand it, here it is, in the most basic of terms: In the vast and long history of international soccer, nobody – man or woman – has scored more goals than Christine Sinclair. Nobody. Pele, Maradona, Platini, Zidane, Cruyff, Di Stefano, and the other members of soccer’s hallowed pantheon are looking up toward Sinclair. She sits alone atop the international goal-scoring charts.” || FULL STORY
Is Christine Sinclair the best athlete in Canadian history? Let’s compare
CanPL.ca’s Marty Thompson asks if Sinclair is Canada’s greatest-ever athlete. Who comes close? Wayne Gretzky, George St. Pierre… but are their accomplishments as great as Sinclair’s? || FULL STORY
Soccer Twitter reacts to Christine Sinclair’s record-breaking night
Finally, relive the historic night as it happened. All the best reactions from the soccer world that poured in to congratulate Sinclair — from Abby Wambach herself to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. || FULL STORY