PORTLAND, Ore. — In a remarkable finale to her career, Christine Sinclair netted a goal in her retirement match, leading the Portland Thorns to a decisive 3-0 win over Angel City on Friday night and securing a playoff berth for the team.
Sinclair scored her goal in the 16th minute, thrilling a crowd of 23,212 at Providence Park. Alongside her, teammates Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver contributed to the scoreline, each finding the back of the net in what was the last regular-season match for the Thorns.
While this victory ensured Sinclair would continue her club career for at least one more round, the identity of their first-round playoff opponent remains undecided and will be determined after the conclusion of the weekend’s matches.
After retiring from the Canadian national team last year as the all-time leading scorer in international soccer, Sinclair leaves behind a legacy of success, having helped guide the Thorns to win the inaugural NWSL championship in 2013 and subsequent titles in 2017 and 2022.
Notably, Sinclair is one of only three active players in the NWSL who have been with the same team since the league’s inception in 2013, joining Jess Fishlock and Lu Barnes of the Seattle Reign.
With a remarkable total of 66 regular-season goals for the Thorns, Sinclair holds the club record and ranks third in all-time league scoring. The match against Angel City also marked her 200th appearance for the team.
After Sinclair’s opening goal, Smith quickly followed suit, scoring her 12th goal of the season in the 26th minute, and Weaver added another right before halftime during stoppage time.
Sinclair was subbed out in the 83rd minute to a heartfelt ovation from the fans, and she received a special tribute in a post-game ceremony. “Some of the best moments of my life have been on this pitch. So just a massive thank you,” she expressed to the audience, reflecting on her time with the team.
Concluding her international career on a high note, Sinclair holds the record as the greatest goal scorer in history for both women and men, having scored 190 goals. Her accolades include a gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics and bronze medals from the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
Furthermore, she is one of only five players to have participated in six Women’s World Cups, and one of three who scored in five different tournaments.
Born in Burnaby, British Columbia, Sinclair’s collegiate career was highlighted by NCAA championships won with the University of Portland in 2002 and 2005.
In another match, Gotham FC defeated the Utah Royals 4-1, with Esther González scoring two goals. Gotham’s Yazmeen Ryan opened the scoring in the 16th minute, and Mandy Freeman followed up with her first career NWSL goal shortly after.
Although Hannah Betfort managed to reduce the deficit for Utah with a goal in the 74th minute, González’s two goals ensured a comfortable victory for Gotham, who has already secured their spot in the playoffs. Unfortunately for Utah, their playoff hopes have been dashed.