Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair’s professional journey has officially come to an end after the Portland Thorns were defeated by Gotham FC in a dramatic 2-1 quarterfinal matchup in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) playoffs. Sinclair, a 41-year-old native of Burnaby, B.C., had a 12-season career with the Thorns, where she left an indelible mark on the sport, winning three championships with the club.
Gotham FC, the reigning NWSL champions, sealed their victory in stoppage time with a goal from Rose Lavelle, moving them forward to face the Washington Spirit in the semifinals next weekend. The Portland Thorns, who clinched the eighth seed in the playoffs, struggled in the final stretch of the season despite a strong performance by rookies like Reilyn Turner, whose header brought the Thorns level in the 75th minute. However, Lavelle’s late goal secured Gotham’s advancement.
Sinclair’s legacy with the Thorns and Canadian soccer is unparalleled. Over her career with Portland, she scored a club-record 65 goals, ranking third in the NWSL all-time goal standings. Internationally, Sinclair retired from the Canadian national team in 2023 as the top goal-scorer in international soccer history, boasting 190 goals—more than any other player, male or female, worldwide.
Sinclair’s contributions to the Thorns and her record-breaking achievements have left a powerful legacy in both Canadian and international soccer. As Gotham FC moves on to the next round, Sinclair exits the pitch for the last time, her career marked by groundbreaking accomplishments and three cherished NWSL titles with Portland.
Source: Swifteradio.com
