PORTLAND, Ore. — Throughout her impressive career, filled with numerous matches, goals, and championships, Christine Sinclair looks back fondly on her initial moments with the Thorns, particularly her debut during the first season of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
During that memorable home opener in 2013, more than 16,000 supporters filled Providence Park, a sign of the future popularity of women’s soccer in Portland.
“It was an incredibly special moment, one that not many of my peers from that inaugural season had the chance to experience in their home parks,” Sinclair reflected. “To be part of that and share it with my teammates made me so proud to call Portland home at that time. I knew we were paving the way for something bigger.”
As Sinclair, now 41, prepares to hang up her cleats at the end of this season, she will be honored in a ceremony before the Thorns face Angel City in their final regular-season match on Friday evening.
This matchup is critical, as the Thorns require either a win or a draw to secure their spot in the playoffs outright. A loss would leave them hoping for favorable results from other games.
Whether or not it becomes her farewell match, the occasion presents a chance for fans to celebrate Sinclair’s legacy in Portland. While Canada is her homeland, Sinclair has made Portland her home since her college days at the University of Portland.
“Portland’s Thorns demonstrated how investment in women’s sports could transform the landscape,” she stated. “Looking at the current progress in leagues like the NWSL, WNBA, and professional hockey, witnessing this growth is nothing short of incredible. I believe Portland played a significant role in starting this momentum. I feel honored to have been part of that journey and to pass it forward to the next generation.”
Sinclair stands out among active NWSL players as one of only three athletes who have remained with the same team since the league’s inception in 2013, alongside Jess Fishlock and Lu Barnes from the Seattle Reign.
Her contributions to the Thorns include winning the first-ever NWSL championship, followed by additional titles in 2017 and 2022. Notably, she netted Portland’s debut goal in a match against FC Kansas City on April 13, 2013.
She holds the franchise record for regular-season goals, tallying an impressive 65 during her tenure, placing her third on the NWSL all-time scoring list. Sinclair has participated in a record 199 games for Portland, starting 180 of them.
Friday’s match will mark her 200th outing.
“I doubt the reality of this will fully hit me until it’s all over. Tomorrow night will surely be an emotional moment, and who knows what the outcome will be,” Sinclair commented. “I think the true realization will come during a peaceful moment in December when I can look back and feel pride in what I’ve accomplished.”
Last year, she stepped away from the Canadian national team, closing her international chapter as the record holder for goals scored worldwide, with a total of 190 goals.
During her time with Canada, Sinclair claimed a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze medals in both the 2012 and 2016 Games.
Moreover, she is part of an exclusive group of just five athletes who have played in six Women’s World Cups, and only three players have scored in five of those tournaments.
Originating from Burnaby, British Columbia, Sinclair also celebrated NCAA championships while attending the University of Portland in 2002 and 2005.