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A superstar called Sinclair

Broadcast Date: Sept. 20, 2007

The blazing blue eyes seem to say it all: Christine Sinclair is a fiery competitor dedicated to her team and to winning.  But what the eyes alone don't say is that the Burnaby, B.C. native and former U.S. college star is one of the best female soccer players in the world.  In this CBC-TV clip, Sinclair is understandably disappointed after the highly touted Canadian team bows out of the 2007 women's World Cup.  "Obviously, it wasn't a success for us but we played three good games, which is hard to swallow – knowing you played three good games but you're still going home," Sinclair says.

A superstar called Sinclair

• If statistics and awards tell the story, few athletes can compare to Sinclair.  At the young age of 25 she had already amassed some remarkable accolades.  She was named to the shortlist for FIFA's (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) player of the year in 2005 and 2006.  She was awarded the 2006 U.S. top female college athlete of the year, for her high level of play with the University of Portland Pilots during the 2005 season.  She is a two-time winner of the M.A.C. (Missouri Athletic Club) Hermann Award, presented annually to the top female and male players in NCAA Division I soccer.

• Sinclair twice led Portland to the U.S. College Cup national title (2002, 2005) in women's Division I soccer.  She scored two goals against UCLA in the 2005 championship game.  She also tallied twice in the final against Santa Clara in 2002, including the golden goal in extra time.  That year she set a tournament record with 21 points on 10 goals, besting the previous mark of six goals.

• The Burnaby B.C. native was named MVP in the W-League Championship Tournament in 2006, leading the Vancouver Whitecaps to their second title in three years.

• In 2002, Sinclair played in the inaugural FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, leading Canada to a surprise second-place finish.  She tallied a record 10 goals and won both the Golden Boot as leading scorer and Golden Ball as tournament MVP.

• Sinclair has become a fixture with Canada's national team, having already played in two Women's World Cup tournaments.  In 2003, she scored three goals as Canada finished a better-than-expected fourth.  She fired three more goals in the 2007 tournament in China, but Canada fell just short of the playoffs.

• As of July 2008, Sinclair was already the Canadian team's all-time leader in goals scored with 92.

• Sinclair's talents were obvious at a young age.  At 11 she was selected to British Columbia's under-14 girl's all-star team.  During her club years she led her teams to six league titles, five provincial titles and two top five national finishes.  Sinclair also led her high school team at Burnaby South Secondary School to three league championships.

A superstar called Sinclair

Medium: Television

Program: CBC Television Sports

Broadcast Date: Sept. 20, 2007

Guest(s): Christine Sinclair

Reporter: Erin Paul

Duration: 1:08

Last updated:
July 25, 2008