Christine Sinclair retiring from women's soccer at end of NWSL season
Christine Sinclair, the most prolific player in international soccer history with 190 goals in 331 games for Canada's women's team, announced Friday that she's retiring.
Sinclair will play her final regular-season match with the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League on Nov. 1.
The 41-year-old signed off as Canada's longtime captain last December with a win over Australia in Vancouver.
She has spent most of her club career in Portland, playing college at the University of Portland from 2001-05 and professionally for the Thorns since 2013.
Sinclair also made stops at the now-defunct Vancouver Angels, Vancouver Breakers, Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Gold Pride, and Western New York Flash during her 25-year career.
"For the last 11 years, it has been an honor to be a part of the Portland Thorns organization. The club showed the world what is possible when women's sports are invested in," Sinclair wrote on Instagram. "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.
"I still have the same passion as that young 4-year-old growing up in Burnaby, B.C., but as I hang up my playing boots, I vow to channel it in a new way. To continue growing the game I love while inspiring the next generation."
More than 45,000 fans packed Vancouver's BC Place late last year to applaud Sinclair as she closed her 23 years with Canada's women's team. Sinclair inspired a generation of women by leading Canada to back-to-back bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and gold in Tokyo in 2021.
Despite never winning a World Cup, Sinclair recorded another bit of history during last year's edition in Australia and New Zealand, becoming the fifth player to appear in six Women's World Cups.
After bidding adieu to Canadians, Sinclair signed a one-year extension with the Thorns in January, saying she wanted to experience at least one season free of international commitments. She's played in 19 league matches this campaign, scoring twice and adding an assist.
Sinclair has scored 79 career goals for the Thorns across all competitions, helping the club win the NWSL Championship in 2013, 2017, and 2022.