Portland Thorns to retire former Canada captain Christine Sinclair’s jersey

By Canadian Press on September 17, 2025.

PORTLAND — The Portland Thorns are retiring Christine Sinclair’s No. 12 jersey.

The NWSL club announced Wednesday that the iconic number will be retired Oct. 4 as part of the former Canada captain’s induction into the Thorns Hall of Fame before Portland’s match against Bay FC.

Sinclair, who retired in November, captained Portland to three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup and the 2020 Fall Series.

The 42-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., chose No. 12 as a tribute to former Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Roberto Alomar,

Sinclair left the Thorns after 12 years as the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with 79 goals in NWSL play, which ranks second in the league.

She also holds Portland’s club record for most matches played (237), games started (215), minutes played (18,579) and penalty goals (10). Her 19 assists are also third-most in Thorns history.

At international level, Sinclair’s 190 goals are the most by any male or female player. She also had 54 assists in her 331 appearances for Canada at the senior level.

Sinclair was named Canada Women’s Soccer Player of the Year 14 times and was an eight-time nominee for FIFA World Player of the Year.

She is an inductee of both the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame and Canada Sports Hall of Fame.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2025

The Canadian Press