Canada’s friendly match against Australia Friday night at Starlight Stadium in Langford is long sold out, and it has little to do with the matchup.
Christine Sinclair is playing her second-to-last match with Team Canada in Langford, and the Vancouver Island soccer community is ready for her farewell.
“She’s a superstar. A true blue superstar,” says longtime UVic Vikes head coach Tracy David. “She has inspired young girls to fulfill their dreams. She’s inspired young girls to not only play soccer, but to be the best player in the world if they choose to do that.”
Nicci Wright was Sinclair’s teammate with the senior national team in the early 2000s.
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“She was maybe 16, turning 17 at the time,” says the Duncan-born Wright who is the director of coaching for the OL Reign Academy in Seattle. Sinclair’s brilliance hasn’t dimmed since her prime.
“A highlight went out the other day of her top 10 goals,” says Wright. “I shared it with my kids. You can still see this player play.”
If she scores in either of the remaining matches, it’s a bonus.
“She’s already done so much,” says David. “It really doesn’t matter if she scores.”
Sinclair is the all-time leading scorer in international soccer history with 190 goals.
Friday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Starlight Stadium in Langford and the final appearance for Sinclair with the national team is set for Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Vancouver’s BC Place.
Jordan Cunningham
