Christine Sinclair of Portland Thorns FC is Named NWSL Player of the Olympics
Christine Sinclair of Portland Thorns FC is named NWSL Player of the Olympics for her stellar play with the Canadian Women’s National Team in Rio. Sinclair led Canada to a bronze medal finish with three goals scored along with Houston Dash forward and Canadian teammate Janine Beckie who matched her scoring tally throughout the month.
NWSL Soccer News: Portland Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair was voted the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Player of the Olympics by the NWSL Media Association for her efforts at the 2016 Rio Games.
Sinclair, 33, scored three goals at the Summer Games to tie Houston Dash forward and fellow Canada international Janine Beckie for the most by an NWSL player at the tournament. Her final goal at the tournament in Brazil came against the hosts in the bronze-medal match and was what proved to be the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory for Canada.
The Burnaby, British Columbia native now stands with 165 international goals – second all-time, behind only former U.S. international Abby Wambach. The former Western New York Flash striker retired from the U.S. Women’s National Team with 184 international goals.
Sinclair, the third oldest player from the league at the Rio Olympics, was tied for second among NWSL players at the tournament with 450 minutes – behind only Orlando Pride defender and Brazil international Monica (600 minutes). The 2013 NWSL champion played every minute of the five matches she played at the Olympics and only missed the final encounter of the group stage against Germany – with Canada having already qualified for the knockout stages.
In addition to her bronze-medal winning goal, the two-time NWSL Player of the Month (April 2013, June 2016) scored in both group stage matches in which she played. She notched a vital insurance tally in the 80th minute of a 2-0 victory for Canada over Australia. Sinclair and her teammates had to play the final 71 minutes of their opening match at the tournament with 10 players after Washington Spirit defender Shelina Zadorsky was sent off in the 19th minute.
The 2013 NWSL Second XI member also picked up an assist earlier in the match – as she set up the fastest goal in the history of women’s soccer at the Olympics after she seized on a defensive miscue and then crossed to Beckie, who slotted home just 20 seconds into the game against Australia.
Sinclair – who has 20 goals and six assists in 59 appearances all-time in the NWSL – also scored in a 3-1 victory for Canada over Zimbabwe on Match Day 2 as she converted from the penalty spot in the 19th minute. The two-time bronze medalist has competed at three Olympics (2008 Beijing, 2012 London, 2016 Rio) and has scored 11 times in 15 matches all-time at the Summer Games.
Sinclair and Portland Thorns will return to action in their first game since the Rio Olympics on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. ET against Seattle Reign FC at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. Sinclair will rejoin the Thorns the day before the game.
The NWSL Player of the Olympics was selected by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of press that cover the league on a consistent basis.
Source/Photo Credit: National Women’s Soccer League
