PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have re-signed club-legend Christine Sinclair to a one year contract, keeping the three-time NWSL Championship winner with the team through the 2024 season.
“I’m thrilled to be back at Portland for another year and be a part of this next era of women’s soccer in the Rose City,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair has been Thorns FC’s statistical leader since the club’s inception, accumulating 62 goals in 176 appearances in 11 seasons, including the team’s first-ever goal in Portland’s debut match against the former FC Kansas City on April 13, 2013. Sinclair’s 62 goals are the third-most in the National Women’s Soccer League, while her 176 appearances are the seventh most. Sinclair’s 14,426 regular season minutes are the third most in the league among players who have spent their entire NWSL career at a single club.
“Sinc has been with this club from the beginning, she is the foundation with which Portland Thorns is built on, and as much as she is a part of the DNA of the Thorns, the Thorns are part of her DNA,” General Manager Karina LeBlanc said. “She has been committed to building this league and this club, and we are thrilled to be able to have her back for another year as we begin this next era in Thorns history."
Sinclair is the only player to be a part of every title Portland has ever won, lifting the NWSL Championship in 2013, 2017 and 2022, the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021, as well as the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup and 2020 NWSL Community Shield. As a member of Thorns FC, Sinclair has also been selected to the NWSL Second XI in 2018 and 2013.
“To get the GOAT back in a Thorns jersey for 2024 is fantastic news. To have Sinc’s experience, qualities and presence is vital for our roster, in both her impact on the field as well as the example she sets for others on a daily basis,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She is a key piece of the identity of the Thorns and what it means to represent for Portland, Soccer City, USA.”
Last year, following a 23-year career, Sinclair retired from international football after a 1-0 victory over Australia, ending her career with Canada after a record-breaking 331 matches. Sinclair retired as the reigning international goal-scoring leader, male or female, having found the back of the net 190 times for her home country, and finished as the leader in assists, helping her teammates score 54 times. In 2021 she was awarded special recognition by FIFA, receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award for breaking the international goal-scoring record.
On top of her personal accomplishments, Sinclair has played a vital role in helping Canada achieve international success, most recently helping the team win its first ever Gold Medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics to go along with the team’s two Bronze Medals from 2012 and 2016. Sinclair captained all three medal-winning teams, as well as the 2010 squad which lifted the country’s second Concacaf Women’s Championship in 2010 with a perfect record of five wins and the championship-winning goal over Mexico in the 1-0 win.
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
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have re-signed club-legend Christine Sinclair to a one year contract, keeping the three-time NWSL Championship winner with the team through the 2024 season.
“I’m thrilled to be back at Portland for another year and be a part of this next era of women’s soccer in the Rose City,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair has been Thorns FC’s statistical leader since the club’s inception, accumulating 62 goals in 176 appearances in 11 seasons, including the team’s first-ever goal in Portland’s debut match against the former FC Kansas City on April 13, 2013. Sinclair’s 62 goals are the third-most in the National Women’s Soccer League, while her 176 appearances are the seventh most. Sinclair’s 14,426 regular season minutes are the third most in the league among players who have spent their entire NWSL career at a single club.
“Sinc has been with this club from the beginning, she is the foundation with which Portland Thorns is built on, and as much as she is a part of the DNA of the Thorns, the Thorns are part of her DNA,” General Manager Karina LeBlanc said. “She has been committed to building this league and this club, and we are thrilled to be able to have her back for another year as we begin this next era in Thorns history."
Sinclair is the only player to be a part of every title Portland has ever won, lifting the NWSL Championship in 2013, 2017 and 2022, the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021, as well as the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup and 2020 NWSL Community Shield. As a member of Thorns FC, Sinclair has also been selected to the NWSL Second XI in 2018 and 2013.
“To get the GOAT back in a Thorns jersey for 2024 is fantastic news. To have Sinc’s experience, qualities and presence is vital for our roster, in both her impact on the field as well as the example she sets for others on a daily basis,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “She is a key piece of the identity of the Thorns and what it means to represent for Portland, Soccer City, USA.”
Last year, following a 23-year career, Sinclair retired from international football after a 1-0 victory over Australia, ending her career with Canada after a record-breaking 331 matches. Sinclair retired as the reigning international goal-scoring leader, male or female, having found the back of the net 190 times for her home country, and finished as the leader in assists, helping her teammates score 54 times. In 2021 she was awarded special recognition by FIFA, receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award for breaking the international goal-scoring record.
On top of her personal accomplishments, Sinclair has played a vital role in helping Canada achieve international success, most recently helping the team win its first ever Gold Medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics to go along with the team’s two Bronze Medals from 2012 and 2016. Sinclair captained all three medal-winning teams, as well as the 2010 squad which lifted the country’s second Concacaf Women’s Championship in 2010 with a perfect record of five wins and the championship-winning goal over Mexico in the 1-0 win.
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