Sinclair's dad, Bill, played soccer. So did her mom and her older brother, Michael. Two uncles, Brian Gant and Bruce Gant, played for the Portland Timbers of the North American Soccer League. Most of her cousins played the game. Her grandparents didn't play, but they sure watched a lot of the grandkids play. Sandi Sinclair helped start a women's soccer league. Sandi and Bill coached youth soccer teams, with Sandi coaching Christine during some of her teenage years.
Given the complete soccer family immersion in Burnaby, BC described above, it should come as little surprise that Thorns FC captain Christine Sinclair grew up to be a soccer player. But in an extended feature in The Oregonian, we learn more about how she rose to become one of the greatest soccer players in the world. Added bonus? Learn how baseball caused Sinclair to select no. 12 as her number.
