Christine Sinclair

Yeah, it was pretty emotional. Not really reflect, but yes, it was all Portland tonight. I mean, with the rain, the cold, the fans, and then the performance we had, especially in the first half. Yeah, it felt like the team from a couple years ago, and that's pretty special. It's a tough place to play for the opposition when we're rolling like that and we have the crowd behind us. Charlie probably doesn't care and just wants me home. Yeah, she's probably ready for me to be done playing so I can spend more time with her and keep going. Jesus. Yeah, I mean, obviously so good to have her back, get her magic. Yeah, the ball just fell to me and I thought I should take a touch and yeah, just watch the keeper dive away. Just, I don't know, in front of the goal. I find myself being composed and then to celebrate and just take it all in. Yeah, it's a moment I'll never forget. I thought maybe against Orlando, maybe that was the last home game goal I would score. How did it feel hearing that ovation? Yeah, that's probably one of the loudest I've ever heard this stadium. I tried to take it in, it's hard in the moment, but just to look around and these fans are absolutely incredible. They're what make this city, this club, so special and to share that moment with them. Yeah, it's a moment I will never forget. Before the game, outside the stadium, we talked to dozens of fans who flew or drove down from Canada. Probably hundreds or thousands in the crowd at Providence Park and they all gave the message of profound thanks and influence that you've given the game. What's the message you want to send to those thousands of Canadians that came to Providence Park tonight? A thank you right back at them. The fans here in Portland, the fans in Canada, they're special, they're incredible. It seems every home game there's a group of them coming down from Vancouver to watch or even if we're on the east coast, people from Toronto are coming. It's great to see the impact that this game is having across Canada. Especially with the new league forming, it's only going to grow. Hopefully, myself, my teammates, we've inspired the next group of superstars. I think you've certainly inspired Morgan. She said you called her stupid for crying on the sideline when you saw her after the game. That sounds about right. Who were the most emotional and who kept Christine Sinclair alive? Honestly, I was proud of the team. We kept it together tonight. Soph lost it a little bit on air after the game. I'm sure she's not thrilled about that. I think we kept it together and obviously knowing that our season is continuing. We're all in a great mood. We're going to enjoy this victory and get ready for the playoffs. At least for me, when it's done, that's when it will be. As you mentioned, you guys are preparing for the playoffs. You're a player who has been there many times before. What do you think is the job of this particular crew in taking this upswing and keeping that going without going over the edge of momentum with this group? I think it's taking the things we did well tonight and building upon them. Obviously, it helps to have our roster healthy again and have Soph back in the back. It just makes us better. We're not a group that's going to get too high just because we won that game. Christine has the ability to get on a roll. We showed that earlier in the season. I think on the road, it's tough to win on the road in this league. We have no idea where we're going. We'll have to wait through the weekend to see that. We'll be ready. We've got a group that's been there before, so we'll be ready. Are there any feelings of finality for you tonight? Of course. Walking off the pitch knowing that I'll never set foot on it again playing soccer. The crowd, things like that. Seeing my family after the game, that was emotional for me. It'll hit me when the preseason starts for this group next year or something like that or the first home game. That's when it'll hit me. You'll probably be a Thorns fan for life. The players who will take over the mantle of goalscoring for you will likely be Sophia and Morgan who scored tonight. How do you feel about the future of this team and what those players can do having seen them grow the years you've played with them here? I think they're obviously incredible soccer players. Sophie being one of the best in the world. She's proven that she can score in this league almost at will. And then Weaver. It's been amazing to see her growth and development from when she was a rookie. She's always good on the score but now she's just a complete soccer player. I have absolutely loved sharing the pitch with the two of them. It might have been the first time this year that the three of us have played because of injuries and stuff. You do have to rate weight because the games are all different days this weekend. Last year we had Decision Day which was all the games at once. Do you prefer that or do you prefer a spread out of games? I definitely prefer a Decision Day especially with this coming right after an international window. Obviously our team got hit hard. We had a group of players literally get back yesterday. It's a tough ask from the league to ask players coming back from Europe to play 24 hours later. I would love to have seen all the games played on a Sunday so all teams have a chance to build their strongest lineup. I think it's something that should be looked at in the future especially coming out of an international window. You can't plan a Friday night. That's all we have time for. Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.