In a memorable night at Providence Park, the Portland Thorns clinched a playoff spot with a resounding 3-0 victory over Angel City. The match was highlighted by Christine Sinclair's goal in her celebratory retirement game, much to the delight of the 23,212 fans in attendance.
Sinclair, who is wrapping up her final season, found the back of the net in the 16th minute, adding to her illustrious career achievements. The Thorns also saw goals from Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver, securing a convincing win in their last regular-season fixture.
With this victory, Sinclair's club career gets an extension as Portland awaits to learn their opening-round opponent following the conclusion of this weekend's final games.
The 41-year-old Sinclair, known for her prolific scoring prowess, retired from the Canadian national team last year with an impressive tally of 190 international goals. She played a pivotal role in the Thorns' NWSL championship victories in 2013, 2017, and 2022.
Sinclair's legacy extends beyond her goal-scoring feats, as she holds the club record with 66 regular-season goals, ranking third in league history. Her 200th appearance for Portland was marked by a stellar performance that culminated in a well-deserved ovation and post-game ceremony.
Reflecting on her time with the Thorns, Sinclair expressed gratitude to the fans, acknowledging the special moments she experienced on the pitch throughout her career.
Aside from her club success, Sinclair boasts an impressive international resume, including a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Games. She stands as one of the few players to have appeared in six Women's World Cups and is among the select few to score in five editions of the tournament.
Gotham Secures Playoff Berth with Convincing Win
In another NWSL matchup, Gotham emerged victorious with a 4-1 win over the Utah Royals. Esther González starred with a brace, while Yazmeen Ryan and Mandy Freeman also found the scoresheet for Gotham.
Despite a late goal from Hannah Betfort for Utah, Gotham's dominance was evident as Esther sealed the win with two late goals. The result solidified Gotham's place in the playoffs, while Utah's postseason hopes were dashed with the defeat.
As the NWSL regular season nears its conclusion, the playoff picture is taking shape, setting the stage for an exciting postseason filled with top-tier competition.
For more soccer news and updates, visit AP Soccer.
