Christine Sinclair’s legacy was celebrated in front of 21,104 fans as Portland Thorns defeated Bay FC 2-1 at Providence Park. The evening honored Sinclair with the retirement of her No. 12 jersey, making her the first member of the Thorns Ring of Honor and enshrining her name alongside other local soccer legends.
Before the match, Sinclair’s accomplishments were highlighted during a pregame ceremony. The 42-year-old, known for her humility and incredible career, received a standing ovation as fans and teammates reflected on her impact. Her 82 goals for the Thorns remain more than double that of any other player, and her 190 international goals for Canada are the most ever scored by any player, male or female.
While the spotlight was on Sinclair, 20-year-old Olivia Moultrie emerged as the game’s hero. Falling behind 1-0 after Taylor Huff scored for Bay FC in the 36th minute, the Thorns rallied with Moultrie scoring twice. Her first goal in the 51st minute came after Sam Coffey created space on the left wing, allowing Moultrie to strike a low shot past the goalkeeper. She added a second goal in the 69th minute from a set piece, bending the ball around the wall and into the near post with precision and pace.
Thorns head coach Rob Gale praised the team’s performance, noting the challenge of recovering from a deficit on such a special night. Gale highlighted Sinclair’s influence, explaining that the team even keeps a cardboard cutout of her in the dressing room to remind players of her lasting impact. “She is the giant and we’re standing on her shoulders,” Gale said. “She’s iconic, a legend, and a trailblazer. You can’t give her enough flowers for what she means to everybody.”
Moultrie, who debuted for the Thorns at age 15 and trained alongside Sinclair for four seasons, said the ceremony and Sinclair’s advice gave the team extra energy. “I got to give her a hug, and she told me to go out and get a win,” Moultrie said. Her brace made her the youngest Thorns player to score two goals in a game, providing a memorable tribute to Sinclair’s enduring influence.
Sinclair, who retired last season after 12 years with Portland, including four in college, reflected on the honor with humility and humor. She joked about no longer needing to share her No. 12 jersey and emphasized that her goal was never personal accolades but giving everything to the game, the team, and the city. “You, the fans, are the heartbeat of this club, and playing for you has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” she said.
The Thorns’ win also boosted their position in the NWSL standings. With three games remaining in the regular season, Portland moved into fourth place, tied on points with Gotham FC but trailing in goal differential. The team remains three points clear of eighth-place San Diego and six ahead of ninth-place North Carolina, keeping them on track for postseason contention.
The victory came during a challenging stretch for the Thorns, who had been winless in their last three home matches and recently traded midfielder Hina Sugita to Angel City FC for defender M.A. Vignola and $600,000. Despite the roster changes, the team demonstrated resilience and determination on a night celebrating one of the sport’s greatest players.
Portland will now travel to Florida to face Orlando Pride in their next match, carrying momentum from Sinclair’s jersey retirement celebration and Moultrie’s standout performance. The night underscored Sinclair’s legacy while highlighting the next generation of stars who continue to build on her remarkable career.
