Canada’s Christine Sinclair, who plays for the Portland Thorns, has been named the National Women’s Soccer League Player of the Olympics.
Sinclair scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over host Brazil to earn Canada its second straight Olympic bronze medal. The finish helped propel Canada from No. 10 in the FIFA world rankings to No. 4.
It was her 165th career goal in her 250th appearance for the national team. She is second only to retired U.S. forward Abby Wambach (184) for international goals.
Sinclair revealed after the medal match that she had lost her father just two months before the Olympics.
Canada’s captain scored three overall goals at the Rio Games.
The league’s Player of the Olympics was determined by vote of media members who cover the league.
The Olympic break behind them, the Thorns begin the home stretch of the season on Saturday in Seattle with a 2 p.m. match against the Reign at Memorial Stadium.
With five games left in the regular season, the Thorns (8-2-5, 29 points) are second in the NWSL standings, three points behind the Washington Spirit. The Reign (5-5-5) are fifth, five points behind the fourth playoff spot.
This is the Thorns first match since July 30 — a 1-0 win over Seattle — and Portland’s first with most of its roster available since a June 26 win at Orlando.
Following this game, the Thorns will play three home games between Sept. 4 and Sept. 11 before finishing the regular season on Sept. 25 in New Jersey against Sky Blue.
A live webcast of Saturday’s match is available at www.thornsfc.com.
