Christine Sinclair confirms she'll retire from pro soccer after season with NWSL's Thorns
CBC
Christine Sinclair, one of the founding players for the Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League, announced Friday she's retiring from the game.
Sinclair will finish out the season with the Thorns. Portland plans to honour her before the final regular season home game on Nov. 1.
The 41-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., retired from the Canadian national team last year, finishing her international career as the world's top goal scorer among both women and men with 190 goals.
Sinclair is among just three active players in the National Women's Soccer League who have played for the same team since the league launched in 2013.
She has led Portland to the NWSL championship in 2013, 2017 and 2022, the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021, as well as the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, 2021 Women's International Champions Cup and 2020 NWSL Community Shield.
Sinclair scored Portland's first-ever goal in a match against FC Kansas City on April 13, 2013.
She announced her retirement on social media.
"For the last 11 years it has been an honour to be part of the Portland Thorns organization. The club that showed the world what is possible when women's sports are invested in," she wrote. "As I finish out this last ride, I want to say what a privilege it has been to represent this unique, beautiful and passionate city that I will always call home."
Sinclair also wrote that she plans to continue "growing the game that I love while inspiring the next generation."
She has scored a Thorns-record 64 regular-season goals with the team, ranking her third all-time in the league. She has played in a Portland-record 195 games, including 176 starts.
Sinclair has 79 goals across all competitions with the Thorns.
"Thorns FC is proud to honour the monumental career of our very own Christine Sinclair," the Thorns said in a news release.
"As No. 12 hangs up the boots, we thank her for her long-term commitment to our club and consider ourselves lucky to be able to witness the greatness and progress she created for soccer on a global landscape."
WATCH | Sinclair reflects on record-breaking career:
Graham Thomas sees a calm confidence and a deep hunger in his team.
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