(Vancouver) Christine Sinclair’s parting words at the meeting following her final practice with Canada’s women’s soccer team were: “Go get me a World Cup.”
She will have been competitive until the very end.
Sinclair has never won the World Cup. In six participations with the maple leaf, the nation’s best result was a fourth place, in 2003. But Sinclair checked all the other boxes.
Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals. A world record 190 goals on the international stage. The Order of Canada. Canada’s Walk of Fame. Canadian Player of the Year 14 times. NWSL champion. Not to mention a flawless, even admirable, reputation off the field.
Some 45,000 spectators are expected at BC Place, which hosted a record crowd of 30,204 for a Whitecaps home match last month against Los Angeles FC. Already on Monday, the stadium was adorned with signs reading “Thank you Sinc”.
“It’s going to be a roller coaster of emotions,” said Desiree Scott, who plays in midfield.
“It’s moving. I think we don’t realize it yet, added striker Jordyn Huitema. She has been involved since the start of my career with the national team and I don’t know what it will be like without her… She means a lot to me. »
“We will all hold back tears. Probably no success,” goalie Kailen Sheridan said.
Around ten members of the Canadian bronze medal winning team at the 2012 London Games will form a guard of honor when she leads the troop onto the field before the match.
Sinclair seemed zen during his meeting with the media on Sunday, accompanied by Sophie Schmidt. Canada head coach Bev Priestman, however, believes the floodgates could open on Tuesday.
“She’s definitely a strong person, but she’s a human being,” Priestman said. I have no doubt it will hit her hard at some point. »
Canada Soccer said more than 50 former players who represented Canada, both on the women’s and men’s side, will be in attendance.
Her current teammates will no doubt try to get her to score a 191st goal to improve her world record.
“She delivers in big moments,” Priestman said.
Sinclair’s last goal was on July 25, 2022 in a 6-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. She has failed to make a difference in her last 19 matches with Canada, while her role has gradually changed since Priestman took office. The latter can count on young attackers, which allowed it to use Sinclair in depth.
Sinclair entered the field to the sound of Shania Twain’s song Any Man of Mine and the clicking of cameras on Monday. Before training, she and Schmidt received honorary Whitecaps jerseys.
“Two great legends,” commented Priestman.
Schmidt, 35, will also play his final match for Canada. But like Sinclair, she wants to play one last season with her club.
Both will be honored Tuesday, as will goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who announced her retirement in January. McLeod will watch the game from the sidelines.
The goal is to say goodbye to them with a victory.
“It’s going to be an incredible night,” Priestman said. I know all the players are going to run 20 or 30 yards more than necessary to highlight what these players have done for our program.
“What we do and how we play is absolutely focused on the [2024 Paris Olympics]. But there is also the reality of what [Tuesday’s match] represents. So it’s like a juggling act. »
The Canadians have already qualified for the Paris Games.
