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Former UP soccer star Christine Sinclair '06 appointed to Order of Canada

Awards and Rankings

Athletics

Alumni

July 25, 2017

Former University of Portland soccer powerhouse Christine Sinclair ’06 has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honors, for “her legendary contributions to women’s soccer in Canada, and for her leadership on and off the playing field.”

Sinclair’s career on The Bluff spanned 2001 to 2005, and she was a pivotal team member for both NCAA national championships won by the Pilots, in 2002 and 2005. She began as a Pilot under legendary UP soccer coach Clive Charles, and has gone on to become one of professional soccer’s top players. She is captain of the Canadian national team and plays for the Portland Thorns FC in the National Women’s Soccer League. In her 15-year career with the senior national team, Sinclair played for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015. She represented her country in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics, and has two Olympic bronze medals. A twelve-time recipient of the Canada Soccer Player of the Year Award, Sinclair is also Canada’s all-time leading scorer and is second worldwide with 168 international goals scored.

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to nation. It comes second only to membership in the Order of Merit, which is the personal gift of Canada's monarch, presently Elizabeth II.