On Nov. 2, 2024, Portland citizens donned their favorite Portland Thorns jerseys, crafted heartfelt signs and flooded the stands at Providence Park to honor the retirement of one of the greatest soccer players to ever grace the (National Women’s Soccer League) NWSL stage: Christine Sinclair.
Sinclair, a renowned forward who announced her imminent retirement from professional club soccer in September, is widely known as one of the best soccer players ever to do it. Sinclair played collegiate soccer at the University of Portland and spent the last decade of her career playing for the Portland Thorns where she earned significant recognition for her high level of play and eventually became the team’s captain. Before retiring from international play, Sinclair represented Canada on the international stage where she helped her country to win an Olympic gold medal and two bronzes along with a “Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football” (CONCACAF) championship. She also earned the title of the top international goal scorer for mens and women’s soccer with upwards of 190 goals throughout her career. Despite her many trophies, medals and awards, perhaps one of the most meaningful things that Sinclair won during her career was the heart of Rose City.
Regardless of fanship status, whether super fan or occasional watcher, Portlanders love Sinclair. There is a sense of pride in being able to watch such an incredible player represent your city. Portland watched through tears as Sinclair walked off the field for the last time and shared across social media their gratitude for Sinc’s endless contributions to the game of soccer.
Tiffeny Milbrett is a World Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, and USA National Soccer Hall of Fame member who has retired from the professional scene. Milbrett is a former member of the USA women’s national soccer team where she scored 100 goals for her country. She is a Portland native herself and, despite her retirement from soccer on the professional level, has stayed highly involved in the sport. Milbrett has watched players come and go from the NWSL, but even to a legend like herself, Sinclair was rare. “Her impact on the game and how much she has achieved for herself, her pro team and her country is one of the most amazing feats by any player in the last 10 years,” stated Milbrett. “She is also an amazing human being that cares about people. She wants everyone to get along and be able to be the person they have in their heart.” Milbrett explained that Sinclair’s career is one for the history books because while she was making history on the field, she was also maintaining a strong mentality and serving as a strong support system for those around her.
Sinclair is not the only influential player to announce her retirement this year. Alex Morgan retired this year after announcing her second pregnancy, and Kelly O’Hara announced that the 2024 NWSL season would be her last one. Morgan and O’Hara have, like Sinclair, changed the game of soccer, and not just for women. Morgan was a powerhouse at the forward position who scored a total of 123 goals in her career and won two world cups, an olympic gold medal and an NWSL championship. O’Hara was someone who lots of young athletes grew up watching, as she was an unstoppable defender with inspiring skill. She has won two world cups as well as an Olympic gold medal and has become a household name due to her athletic abilities. The retirement of Sinclair, Morgan and O’Hara surely marks the end of an era in women’s soccer. These women were pioneers in the NWSL and in women’s sports in general. They gave up so much in order to ensure that all future generations of women would be held to high standards in sports and receive the attention they deserve. “We need to celebrate every player’s contribution and be thankful they sacrificed so much to be at the highest level they could play,” stated Millbrett, reflecting on what these women have accomplished over their careers. “In turn, they influenced the next generation of players and created better opportunities for those coming after them.”
As this generation of athletes retire, it becomes time to look to the younger players that will carry on the legacy of those before them. Many female players these days are skipping college soccer and beelining it straight to the pros, which is something male players have been able to do for ages. The NWSL is now highly populated by these players, which means that there is endless potential for growth from every team, as many of their athletes are so young and coachable. These are the players who will become the next generation of legends and role models.
“I’m hopeful that we can continue to provide the platforms and opportunities these young [female] players and all players need to be able to make this a full-time career and commitment in their own right,” Milbrett said, expressing her hopes for the future generations of women’s soccer and for the NWSL itself.
As the 2024 NWSL season comes to an end, so do the careers of many impactful players of the current generation of athletes. It is important to remember what these women have done for the sport of soccer and for sports overall. Now, the torch has been passed to the younger generation of athletes, and all eyes are on them as they lace up their boots and step onto the field. It is time to see who the next soccer icon will be.
