‘Healthy, 100 per cent’: Christine Sinclair readies for pro season, Olympics

PORTLAND (660 NEWS) — Captain Canada is ready to hit the pitch again.

Christine Sinclair is roaring to go after missing last month’s SheBelieves Cup with what she calls a little injury.

“I don’t miss many games,” she told the media this week. “It just happened to be bad timing for the SheBelieves, which was unfortunate. But, I’m back, healthy, 100 per cent. Just ready to get some games under my belt.”

Christine Sinclair is chatting with the media as the Portland Thorns prepare for the 2021 Challenge Cup.

The Canadian captain has recovered from an injury that kept her out of last month's SheBelieves Cup. She says she's 100 per cent.#CanWNT | #NWSL pic.twitter.com/Dou463u3Bh

— Sandra Prusina (@sprusina) March 17, 2021

Canada went 1-2 in the recent four-nation tournament, including a tight contest with the USA to kick off the national team’s first action in nearly a year.

“What a gutsy performance, especially against the Americans,” Sinclair offered of the 1-0 Canadian loss. “[We were] missing a lot of players, whether it was through injuries or players not being released from clubs.

“Just a gutsy performance, having not had a camp in a year, a new head coach, and here’s your first game against the world number one. Quite honestly, [we] could’ve had come away with a result against them.

“The team looked sharp and ready to go. Excited to finally get back with them and start playing under Bev. It’s a big year for us. The SheBelieves was a good start for the team. It would’ve been nice to get a couple more results, but we’re just starting.”

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As for her relationship with new bench boss Priestman, it goes back a few years.

“I know Bev well,” Sinclair explained. “She was our assistant coach under John Herdman. She was our assistant coach for like four years. We all know her very well.

“Never played under her as a head coach, so that’s going to be new. But, just in the conversations I’ve had with her, she’s ready to go. All the players coming back from the SheBelieves that I spoke to had nothing but good things to say about her as a head coach. I’m just excited and can’t wait to get back into the fold.”

Her comments come as she embarks on another season with the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League. The club is gearing up for the 2021 Challenge Cup.

“The people in this city are truly passionate about soccer,” Sinclair stated.

Portland’s first game is April 9 versus Kansas City.

Women’s soccer at the 2021 Olympics in Japan kicks off on July 21. The groups have not yet been determined.

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