Sinclair approaches Neil’s all-time mark

Christine Sinclair already holds a host of Canadian national team records, most notably those that include putting the ball into the back of the net. Most career goals (99), most goals in a season (16), consecutive games in a season with a goal (6), and most career goals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup (6): they are all records held by the Canadian scoring star.



At just 25 years of age, Sinclair is just three games away from setting another record, this one not for goal scoring. With 129 international appearances, she is just three back of all-time leader Andrea Neil (132). On Monday 25 May at BMO Field, Sinclair will tie Charmaine Hooper for second on the all-time list with her 130th career appearance.



Sinclair already surpassed Hooper earlier this year for most career starts. Sinclair has been part of the starting XI in 126 of her 129 appearances. Sinclair also holds the national record for most career minutes, 11,432 and counting.



Captain Sinclair is one of five Canadians to make at least 100 appearances with Canada’s women’s national team. Sinclair was the third player to do so, reaching the mark on 30 August 2007 in Tokyo, Japan just before the FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007. In what was an interesting twist, Sinclair actually came in as a substitute in that match, one of her three appearances as a substitute. Neil was the starting captain that day, officially breaking the national record with her 131st career appearance.



Sinclair is expected to at least match Neil’s record later this year. After the 25 May match in Toronto, Canada plays USA two more times in 2009: 19 July in Rochester, NY and 22 July in Charleston, SC.



Sinclair, who grew up in Burnaby, BC, is now in her 10th season with the Canadian women’s national team. A rookie at 16, she has since taken part in three CONCACAF Gold Cups, two FIFA Women’s World Cups and one Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.