Press Release // Portland, OR
Portland Thorns FC legend Christine Sinclair has announced her retirement from professional football. The Club will celebrate and honor its all-time leading goal scorer at her final regular season game on Saturday, November 1 against Angel City. Tickets are available at www.thorns.com.
Sinclair closes out her storied career following 25 years of professional football, spanning two countries, various leagues and six organizations. The Thorns’ captain has lifted eight major championship trophies including the 2002 and 2005 NCAA National Championship with the University of Portland, 2006 USL W-League Championship with Vancouver Whitecaps, 2010 and 2011 WPS Championship with FC Gold Pride and Western New York Flash, respectively, the 2020 Summer Olympics Gold medal with Canada, and three NWSL Championships in 2013, 2017 and 2022 with the Portland Thorns.
As one of the first members of the Portland Thorns and the only player to be with the team throughout the entirety of its 12-year history, Sinclair holds a multitude of Club records, including games played (195) and games started (176). Most notably, Sinclair holds the record for most regular-season goals scored by a Thorns player, having netted 64 goals, the third most in league history.
Across all competitions, Sinclair has netted 79 goals, including three throughout 13 playoffs appearances. In the 2013 final, Sinclair scored in the second minute of stoppage time to secure the first-ever NWSL Championship for the Thorns with the 2-0 victory over WesternNew York Flash.
Throughout her Thorns career Sinclair has played a pivotal role in lifting each of Portland’s six trophies. In addition to the 2013 NWSL Championship, Sinclair helped earn the 2017 NWSL Championship and the 2022 NWSL Championship, as well as the 2016 and 2021 NWSL Shields. Finally, she has helped the Club win the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup and the 2020 Fall Series.
Sinclair finishes her career as one of three players in the history of the National Women’s Soccer League to play all 12seasons with the same club. She is the second oldest to appear in a match and is one of only two players to score in every NWSL competition (regular season, playoffs, Challenge Cup, 2020 Fall Series, Summer Cup.)
Sinclair’s history with the city of Portland began in 2001 when she signed with the University of Portland. While with the Pilots Sinclair scored 110 goals in 94 appearances, winning two National Championships in 2002 and 2005, while also earning collegiate soccer’s highest honor, the MAC Hermann Trophy, twice.
Before becoming a member of the Thorns Sinclair spent time in the WPS with FC Gold Pride and Western New York Flash where she scored a combined 26 goals, winning back-to-back WPS Championship titles and splitting the 2011 WPS Golden Boot with Brazilian international Marta.
Sinclair retired from international soccer in December of last year. In January of 2020 Sinclair scored her 185th goal with Canada, overtaking Abby Wambach for the most international goals, male, or female. In total, Sinclair has netted 190 international goals. She finished her Canada Women’s National Team career, spanning 23 years, as her nation’s leader in games played (331) and goals scored (190). Sinclair played in six FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Summer Olympic Games, winning the Gold Medal in 2021and the Bronze Medal in 2012 and 2016.
The Thorns will honor Sinclair and her career during her final regular season match on Friday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. PT when Portland hosts Angel City in the final regular season match of the year. Tickets are available at www.thorns.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, August 15, 2026) – The Portland Thorns continued their impressive home form with a 2-1 win over Orlando Pride on Saturday when forward Caiya Hanks — who was making her return to the pitch after missing action for over a year with an ACL injury — scored a stoppage time winner to secure three points for the home side.
Both sides battled back and forth as they tried to search for the opening goal, with Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold making three saves to ensure the match remained level going into the halftime break.
The Thorns came out into the second half much more threatening in Orlando’s half and finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when forward Pietra Tordin laid the ball off to forward Deyna Castellanos, who from the top right corner of Orlando’s box placed the ball perfectly into the top left corner of the goal over the hands of Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.
The lead was short lived however when Arnold’s diving save to punch out a crossed ball in the 63rd minute ricocheted off the knees of Orlando forward Jacqueline Ovalle and rolled into the net to level things back up.
From there, Portland and Orlando continued in their fight to search for a second and despite several good looks at goal, the match remained level.
That would all change after Hanks — who subbed on in the 88th minute — curled the ball into the goal from outside the box in the 96th to send Providence Park into a frenzy as the Thorns secured three points and extended its home unbeaten streak to 12 matches, nine on the season.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns host Denver Summit FC for the first time at Providence Park on Saturday, August 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 pm PT on ION and 910 ESPN Portland. Purchase tickets for the match HERE.
TEAM NOTES
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
N/A
Second Half
POR – Deyna Castellanos (Pietra Tordin) 58’
ORL – Jacqueline Ovalle 63’
POR – Caiya Hanks (M.A. Vignola) 90+6’
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold (GK), M.A. Vignola, Jayden Perry, Isabella Obaze (Sam Hiatt 78’), Carolyn Calzada, Jessie Fleming-C, Nina Nijstad (Cassandra Bogere 85’), Pietra Tordin (Caiya Hanks 88’), Deyna Castellanos (Renee Lyles 78’), Marie Müller (Morgan Weaver 67’), Sophia Wilson
Subs not used: Morgan Messner (GK), Reyna Reyes, Shae Harvey, Mallie McKenzie
Orlando Pride (4-4-2): Anna Moorhouse (GK), Hailie Mace (Gabi Nunes 90+8’), Rafaelle (Zoe Matthews 89’), Cori Dyke, Oihane Hernández (Zara Chavoshi 76’), Solai Washington, Ally Lemos, Haley McCutcheon-C, Julie Doyle (Summer Yates 65’), Jacqueline Ovalle, Barbra Banda (Angelina 65’)
Subs not used: Cara Martin (GK), Cossette Morche, Luana, Nicole Payne
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: N/A
ORL: Jacqueline Ovalle (Yellow) 40’, Julie Doyle (Yellow) 52’, Rafaelle (Yellow) 85’
MATCH STATS
POR | ORL
Goals: 2|1
Assists: 2|0
Possession: 51|49
Shots: 10|12
Shots on Target: 4|6
Saves: 5|2
Tackles: 16|16
Tackles Won: 9|11
Interceptions: 14|26
Fouls: 7|6
Offsides: 0|1
Corner Kicks: 0|6
ATTENDANCE: 19,106
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referee 1: Katarzyna Wasiak
Assistant Referee 2: Sarah Gaddes
4th Official: Justin St. Pierre
VAR: Danielle Chesky
Assistant VAR: Seun Yinka-Kehinde
Press Release // Portland, OR
Portland Thorns FC legend Christine Sinclair has announced her retirement from professional football. The Club will celebrate and honor its all-time leading goal scorer at her final regular season game on Saturday, November 1 against Angel City. Tickets are available at www.thorns.com.
Sinclair closes out her storied career following 25 years of professional football, spanning two countries, various leagues and six organizations. The Thorns’ captain has lifted eight major championship trophies including the 2002 and 2005 NCAA National Championship with the University of Portland, 2006 USL W-League Championship with Vancouver Whitecaps, 2010 and 2011 WPS Championship with FC Gold Pride and Western New York Flash, respectively, the 2020 Summer Olympics Gold medal with Canada, and three NWSL Championships in 2013, 2017 and 2022 with the Portland Thorns.
As one of the first members of the Portland Thorns and the only player to be with the team throughout the entirety of its 12-year history, Sinclair holds a multitude of Club records, including games played (195) and games started (176). Most notably, Sinclair holds the record for most regular-season goals scored by a Thorns player, having netted 64 goals, the third most in league history.
Across all competitions, Sinclair has netted 79 goals, including three throughout 13 playoffs appearances. In the 2013 final, Sinclair scored in the second minute of stoppage time to secure the first-ever NWSL Championship for the Thorns with the 2-0 victory over WesternNew York Flash.
Throughout her Thorns career Sinclair has played a pivotal role in lifting each of Portland’s six trophies. In addition to the 2013 NWSL Championship, Sinclair helped earn the 2017 NWSL Championship and the 2022 NWSL Championship, as well as the 2016 and 2021 NWSL Shields. Finally, she has helped the Club win the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup and the 2020 Fall Series.
Sinclair finishes her career as one of three players in the history of the National Women’s Soccer League to play all 12seasons with the same club. She is the second oldest to appear in a match and is one of only two players to score in every NWSL competition (regular season, playoffs, Challenge Cup, 2020 Fall Series, Summer Cup.)
Sinclair’s history with the city of Portland began in 2001 when she signed with the University of Portland. While with the Pilots Sinclair scored 110 goals in 94 appearances, winning two National Championships in 2002 and 2005, while also earning collegiate soccer’s highest honor, the MAC Hermann Trophy, twice.
Before becoming a member of the Thorns Sinclair spent time in the WPS with FC Gold Pride and Western New York Flash where she scored a combined 26 goals, winning back-to-back WPS Championship titles and splitting the 2011 WPS Golden Boot with Brazilian international Marta.
Sinclair retired from international soccer in December of last year. In January of 2020 Sinclair scored her 185th goal with Canada, overtaking Abby Wambach for the most international goals, male, or female. In total, Sinclair has netted 190 international goals. She finished her Canada Women’s National Team career, spanning 23 years, as her nation’s leader in games played (331) and goals scored (190). Sinclair played in six FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Summer Olympic Games, winning the Gold Medal in 2021and the Bronze Medal in 2012 and 2016.
The Thorns will honor Sinclair and her career during her final regular season match on Friday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. PT when Portland hosts Angel City in the final regular season match of the year. Tickets are available at www.thorns.com.
.avif)
