Christine Sinclair announced her retirement from professional soccer on Friday, with her legendary career set to come to an end at the conclusion of the 2024 NWSL season.
The 41-year-old native of Burnaby, British Columbia is in her 12th and final season with the Portland Thorns, joining the team for its inaugural season and remaining with the club ever since. Sinclair has scored the third-most goals in NWSL history, and is also in the top ten for appearances in the league.
She has won several trophies with the Thorns, including the 2013, 2017, and 2022 NWSL Championships, 2016 and 2021 NWSL Shields, 2020 Fall Series, and 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.
View this post on Instagram
Before returning to the city in the NWSL, Sinclair played at the University of Portland, winning national championships in 2002 and 2005 — and was set on returning to, and staying in, the city at the professional level. Before returning to Portland with the Thorns she won a pair of Women’s Professional Soccer championships with FC Gold Pride in 2010 and Western New York Flash in 2011. She also played for the Vancouver Whitecaps USL W-League, winning the league title in 2006.
Sinclair will have one last opportunity to play in Canada on October 15, when the Thorns visit Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite at BC Place in the Concacaf Champions Cup group stage. She is expected to be involved with the new Northern Super League club in Vancouver as well, Vancouver Rise FC, but in what capacity remains to be seen after a teaser in August.
The Thorns will celebrate Sinclair at her final regular season game on Saturday, November 1 against Angel City. They currently sit in a playoff spot as well.
“Christine, your achievements both on and off the field have set a new standard in Canadian sport,” said Canada Soccer in a statement. “You’ve paved the way for future generations, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to shape the future of soccer in Canada and around the world. Thank you for the unforgettable moments, for lifting Canadian soccer to new heights, and for your unwavering commitment to the game.”
RELATED READING: Christine Sinclair’s sendoff was an emotional end to a truly magnificent chapter
Sinclair retired from international football last year, stepping off the field for the final time in a Canada kit at BC Place in Vancouver in December.
In 331 appearances for Canada over 24 years with the national team, Sinclair scored 190 goals — a record for most international goals that may never be broken. After leading Canada to bronze medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Sinclair finally struck gold at Tokyo 2020, as the Canadian women reached the top step of the podium for the first time.
The 14-time Canadian Player of the Year rewrote the history books in this country as one of its greatest ever athletes, and in these final weeks of the NWSL season there is only one chapter left to write.