Another year, another memorable season for Burnaby’s Christine Sinclair.
In October, the veteran Team Canada striker tallied the winning goal in a 7-0 victory over Panama to clinch a berth to the FIFA 2019 Women’s World Cup. The win qualified Canada for a seventh straight World Cup.
To top it off, the 35-year-old Sinclair was announced this week as the Canadian Woman Player of the Year in recognition of another successful season.
The selection was via a vote shared by Canadian media and Canadian coaches.
“Christine Sinclair showed that you can continue to add layers to your performance, regardless of age, if you work hard,” said Kenneth Heiner-Møller, Canada Soccer’s women’s national team head coach. “Her great physical shape helped her play every minute for Portland Thorns FC and also led Canada to yet another FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
 For the 15th time in 19 years, Sinclair led Canada in goal scoring, posting eight goals and two assists over 12 international matches, while placing second on the team in minutes played at 979. Canada posted eight wins in 12 games.
By helping Canada place second at the CONCACAF women’s championships, Sinclair claimed her eighth tourney medal since 2002. She currently has 177 international goals to her resume, and sits seven goals back of all-time international scoring leader Abby Wambach.
With Portland in the women’s pro league, she played all 2,160 minutes and guided the team to second place. Sinclair finished with nine goals, tied for third in the league, and chipped in six assists. She was named to the league’s second all-star team, and helped the Thorns reach the championship final.
“Her ability to lead her line as well as the players around her while at the same time performing at her level is simply remarkable and unique. Sinclair is a notorious goal scorer, but she should also get credit for her ability to set up goals. She is an important part of the build up play for both her club and our Women’s national team.”
