PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Thorns FC legend Christine Sinclair announced her retirement in a social media post Friday morning saying "rose city, this one's for you...🌹."
Sinclair is the only player to be a part of every title the Thorns have ever won, dating back to the National Women's Soccer League Championship in 2013 when she first joined the club.
"Portland, thank you will never be enough," Sinclair posted in a photo on Instagram.
Her last regular season game will be Nov. 1 at Providence Park against Angel City FC.
"Your impact will last a lifetime," the Thorns posted on X. "Thank you for everything, Sinc."
Sinclair is the club's all-time leading goal-scorer. Prior to the 2024 season, the 41-year-old had scored 62 goals — third most in National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) history — and her 176 appearances rank seventh in the NWSL.
She's been a pivotal player to the Thorn's success for over a decade and a part of nearly every milestone moment in the club's history. When the NWSL formed in 2012, Portland was selected as one of the first eight teams.
The first-ever Portland Thorn's game on April 13, 2013 against Kansas City ended in 1-1 draw. Sinclair scored the club's first goal on a penalty kick to tie the game in the 67th minute, according the Thorn's website. In that same year, she went on to clinch the final goal in the Thorns first NWSL Championship win.
She carried this success through her career continually breaking NWSL records for goals scored, shots, minutes played and appearances.
Born in Burnbary, Canada, Sinclair was a wrecking ball at the international level. She's currently the word's all-time leader for international goals scored for men or women with 190 goals — out-shooting Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo's 132-international goals.
Prior to her retirement from Canada's national team last year, Sinclair appeared in six Women's World Cups and has won two Olympic bronze medals and an Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games.
Her history in Portland dates further back than the Thorns. While at University of Portland, she led the pilots to two NCAA championships and boasted an award-winning college career.
