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Tag: women’s soccer

  • Christine Sinclair’s Pro Soccer Career Concludes as Portland Thorns Fall to Gotham FC in NWSL Playoffs

    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

  • Women’s Soccer Players Call Out FIFA Over Saudi Aramco Sponsorship, Citing Human Rights and Environmental Concerns

    More than 100 international women’s soccer players have signed an open letter to FIFA, urging the organization to reconsider its sponsorship deal with Saudi Aramco, a state-owned oil giant. The players criticize the sponsorship as a “middle finger to women’s soccer,” pointing out Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations, especially against women and the 2SLGBTQ+ community, which directly contradict the sport’s core values of equality and inclusion.

    The athletes, including Canadian stars Jessie Fleming and Erin McLeod, emphasize the risks faced by gay players in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is criminalized. They also highlight the environmental impact of Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer. Despite these concerns, FIFA’s decision to partner with the company has sparked outrage within the women’s soccer community.

    In response, FIFA defended its partnership with Aramco, stating that sponsorship revenues are reinvested into the game and women’s football development. However, the players demand FIFA justify this sponsorship and address how it aligns with their public stance on human rights.

    Source: Swifteradio.com