Christine Sinclair's playing days are officially over.
The Burnaby soccer legend saw her professional career come to an end on Sunday, Nov. 10, after Portland Thorns FC lost its National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) quarterfinal to NY/NJ Gotham FC.
Sinclair announced in September that she would be retiring from professional soccer at the end of the year.
Sinclair career began with FC Gold Pride of the Women's Professional Soccer league (WPSL) from 2009 to 2010. She played one season in 2011 for the Western New York Flash.
When the NWSL formed in 2013, Sinclair was one of the first members of the Portland Thorns and is the only player that has been with the club throughout its 12-year existence.
For one last time, the Greatest Of All Time.
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) November 10, 2024
Sinc, your legacy is immeasurable, your impact will last beyond a lifetime. #ThankYouSinc pic.twitter.com/oLrp1vVXVY
Sinclair appeared in 40 games for FC Gold Pride, 15 for Western New York Flash and 204 for the Portland Thorns.
She tallied 72 goals in a Portland Thorns kit and helped the club win three NWSL titles in 2013, 2017 and 2022.
Sixty-five goals have come in the regular season, which is a record for the Thorns and third most in NWSL history.
She also appeared in 13 playoff games for the Thorns, scoring three goals.
Stepping off the field one last time, but her legacy will live on forever.
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 10, 2024
Thank you, @sincy12! 🌹 pic.twitter.com/cpGyc1aoYh
Sinclair retired from international play with Canada's national women's team in December 2023.
The 41-year-old forward scored 190 international goals representing Canada on the world stage, which is the most all-time in both men and women's play.
Although Sinclair's playing career has ended, Vancouver Rise FC of the Northern Super League, Canada's new professional women's soccer league with its inaugural season set for 2025, announced in October that Sinclair had joined its ownership group alongside majority owner Greg Kerfoot.
“Growing up in Burnaby, I would have never imagined becoming an owner of a professional women’s soccer club in my hometown,” Sinclair said in a Vancouver Rise FC announcement release.
“I want every little girl in British Columbia and Canada to be inspired to play or coach or manage — see the opportunity for women in sport. I’m so excited to be a part of this movement, and to be able to share my passion to help this club grow.”
Sinclair is also set to be inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in June 2025.
