Canada's national women's soccer team captain Christine Sinclair walks off the field to the locker room before playing a friendly against Australia in her final international soccer match, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Sinclair, 40, is making her 331st and final appearance for Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
VANCOUVER – Christine Sinclair is taking part in her final Canadian women’s national team game on Tuesday, with fans from all over the globe flocking to see her play.
Nicole Safranski is visiting with three others from Portland, Ore., and specifically came to watch Sinclair’s final international game at B.C. Place which has been temporarily renamed after the striker.
“I am glowing inside. I am so excited. My dog is named Sinclair, it was just her birthday,” she said. “I just can’t believe the energy here, I’m so excited, I’m so proud of everything Sinclair has done. I’m honoured to be here.”
Safranski supports the Portland Thorns, the team Sinclair plays for in the National Women’s Soccer League, and said she’s excited to celebrate the forward’s career.
“She’s just amazing. She’s consistent, a leader on the team. I ran into her at one of the pubs that shows her game and she’s just a good human.”
Micah Hermkins was holding a sign celebrating Sinclair outside the stadium and said she was excited to see the Canadian striker’s last international match.
“I’m excited to see Sinclair playing,” she said. “I’m glad I got to see her last game while I’m here.”
Noah Darowski, 11, said he was excited to see the Canadian women’s team play for his first time.
“Seeing Sinclair and seeing Canada versus Australia,” he said about what excited him about the match. “It’s a very rare chance to see the actual team playing.”
Fans in both Canadian and Australian jerseys lined up waiting to get into the stadium.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim was also spotted at the game, which also serves as a farewell to goalkeeper Erin McLeod and Sophie Schmidt.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2023.
