Soccer

Christine Sinclair scores in her final regular-season match as Portland Thorns clinch playoff spot

Canada's Christine Sinclair scored in her celebratory retirement match and the Portland Thorns clinched a playoff spot with a 3-0 victory over Angel City on Friday night.

Canadian legend scored a club-record 66 regular-season goals

Soccer players wearing red jerseys hug in the rain.
Portland Thorns forward Christine Sinclair, second from left, celebrates after her goal during the first half of an NWSL soccer match against Angel City FC at Providence Park on Friday in Portland, Ore. (Sean Meagher/The Oregonian/The Associated Press)

Canada's Christine Sinclair scored in her celebratory retirement match and the Portland Thorns clinched a playoff spot with a 3-0 victory over Angel City on Friday night.

Sinclair, who is playing in her final season, scored in the 16th minute in front of 23,212 fans at Providence Park. Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver also scored for Portland in its last regular-season match.

Sinclair's club career was extended with the victory, but Portland won't know its opening round opponent until this weekend's final games are wrapped up.

Sinclair, who retired from the Canadian national team last year as international soccer's most prolific scorer, helped the Thorns win the inaugural NWSL championship in 2013 and additional titles in 2017 and 2022.

She is among just three active players in the NWSL who have played for the same team since the league launched in 2013. The others are Jess Fishlock and Lu Barnes of the Seattle Reign.

WATCH | Fans send their love during final regular-season match: 

Christine Sinclair receives standing ovation as she exits her final game at Providence Park

26 days ago
Duration 2:14
The Portland Thorns and their fans pay tribute to Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair who is retiring from professional soccer at the end of the season. Sinclair helped the Thorns win the inaugural NWSL championship in 2013 and titles in 2017 and 2022.

Sinclair smashes more records

Sinclair has scored a club-record 66 regular-season goals, ranking third in league history. Friday night's game was her 200th appearance for Portland.

After Sinclair's goal, Smith added her 12th of the season in the 26th minute and Weaver scored in first-half stoppage time.

WATCH | See her final regular-season match goal: 

Christine Sinclair scores in final NWSL regular-season match of her career

26 days ago
Duration 1:18
Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair scores in the 16th minute to give the Portland Thorns a 1-0 lead over Angel City FC. Sinclair, who made her 200th NWSL regular-season appearance, is retiring from professional soccer at the end of the season. The Thorns went on to win 3-0 to capture a playoff spot.

Sinclair was subbed out in the 83rd minute to a lengthy ovation and toasted in a post-game ceremony.

"Some of the best moments of my life have been on this pitch. So just a massive thank you," she said to the crowd.

She finished her international career last year as the world's top goal scorer among both women and men with 190 goals. Sinclair won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Games.

She's also among just five players to appear in six Women's World Cups, and one of three players to score in five.

A native of Burnaby, B.C., Sinclair won NCAA championships with the University of Portland in 2002 and 2005.

A soccer player wearing a green jersey signs autographs for young female fans who look very excited.
Sinclair signs autographs for fans after a CONCACAF W Champions Cup match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Vancouver on Oct. 15, 2024. She has long been a role model for many aspiring soccer stars. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press)

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