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Sinclair scores in his retirement game and the Thorns beat Angel City 3-0
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Sinclair scores in his retirement game and the Thorns beat Angel City 3-0

PORTLAND, Ore. — Christine Sinclair scored in her retirement celebration game and the Portland Thorns clinched a playoff spot with a 3-0 victory over Angel City on Friday night.

Sinclair, who is playing his final season, scored in the 16th minute in front of 23,212 spectators at Providence Park. Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver also scored for Portland in its final regular season game.

Sinclair’s club career was extended with the win, but Portland won’t know its first-round opponent until after this weekend’s final games.

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

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

Sinclair scored a club record 66 goals in the regular season, ranking third in league history. Friday night’s game was his 200th appearance for Portland.

After Sinclair’s goal, Smith added his 12th of the season in the 26th minute and Weaver scored in first-half injury time.

Portland Thorns forward Christine Sinclair (12) celebrates after her goal...

Portland Thorns forward Christine Sinclair (12) celebrates after her goal during the first half of an NWSL soccer match against Angel City FC at Providence Park on Friday, November 1, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. Credit: AP/Sean Meagher

Sinclair was substituted in the 83rd minute to a lengthy ovation and made a toast in a post-match ceremony.

“Some of the best times of my life have been on this field. So just a huge thank you,” she told the crowd.

She finished her international career last year as the world’s top scorer for 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 is also one of five players to have appeared in six Women’s World Cups and one of three players to have scored in five.

Portland Thorns forward Christine Sinclair smiles at a young fan...

Portland Thorns forward Christine Sinclair smiles at a young fan in the stands during the first half of an NWSL soccer match against Angel City FC at Providence Park Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Portland, Oregon. Credit: AP/Sean Meagher

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

Gotham 4, Royals 1

Esther González scored twice in Gotham’s 4-1 win over the Utah Royals.

Yazmeen Ryan scored in the 16th minute for Gotham, which has already clinched a playoff spot. Mandy Freeman added her first NWSL goal about two minutes in.

Hannah Betfort’s goal for Utah in the 74th made it 2-1 before Esther scored twice to close out the scoring.

Utah has already been eliminated from the playoffs.