WINNIPEG – Members of Canada’s national women’s soccer team got their first look inside Investors Group Field Tuesday ahead of Thursday night’s friendly against the United States.
The home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will host six Women’s World Cup games in 2015 and for Canadian striker Christine Sinclair, her whole career has been building up to next summer.
“Everything I’ve done pretty much my whole life, in terms of soccer, has been building up to a home World Cup,” said Sinclair. “It doesn’t get any bigger than that.”
As one of the longest-serving players on Team Canada, Sinclair has made 200 international appearances in 14 years and is the all-time team leader in goals.
Her teammate Desiree Scott of Winnipeg wasn’t even in high school yet when Sinclair won her first of 11 player of the year awards.
“She’s like the one lone name that I knew growing up,” said Scott. “Everyone knows who Christine Sinclair is and now we get to train with her. You don’t always see the work she puts in, but we’re with her every day, and seeing the extra stuff she’s doing to get that one inch better — she’s like a silent killer.
“She doesn’t like the spotlight, believe it or not.”
In women’s soccer, Canada and the U.S.A. are sworn enemies on the pitch, which makes it even more astounding that an American player this week called Sinclair the best player in the world.
“It’s a huge honour to be called that,” said Sinclair. “Especially by an American. They have some of the best players in the world hands down.”
Even at the age of 30, Sinclair isn’t showing signs of slowing down anytime soon.
“You make it sound like I’m 40 years old,” said Sinclair. “As long as I keep loving the game and keep enjoying being in, I’m not going stop until John (Herdman) kicks me off the team.”
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