Christine Sinclair, who led Portland to 3 NWSL titles, to be honored in final regular-season match

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Through all the matches, goals and titles, Christine Sinclair's favorite memory of the Thorns was one of her earliest, when she walked on the field in Portland for the very first National Women's Soccer League season.

More that 16,000 fans were at Providence Park for the Thorns' home opener in 2013, a harbinger of the sport's popularity in Portland in years to come.

“It was very special and just something that not many players in that opening year got to experience playing in their home parks,” she said. “So it was just special and I was so proud to be able to call Portland home in that moment and share it with my teammates because I knew that was possible."

The 41-year-old Sinclair, who helped the Thorns win the inaugural NWSL championship in 2013 and titles in 2017 and 2022, is retiring from professional soccer at the end of the season. She'll be honored Friday night when the Thorns host Angel City in the final game of the regular season.