Classic Players

Christine Sinclair, the world's all-time leading international goalscorer, has announced her retirement from the Canada women's national team but said she still planned to play for Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) next season.

The 40-year-old Sinclair's illustrious international career includes a record 190 goals for Canada in 327 games, an Olympic gold medal and six World Cup appearances.

"Honestly, you can't play forever," Sinclair told Reuters. "And this seems like a good time to be done."

Former United States women’s national team captain Carli Lloyd was a guest on the new CBS show “Kickin’ It” with Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies. During the episode Lloyd shared why she refused to kneel at the Olympics and conversations she had with Megan Rapinoe back in 2016.

The cast of the show also had a short moment to discuss their reactions to Lloyd’s answers after she had left.

Two of the big questions that Abdo asked Lloyd were why she refused to take a knee before the bronze medal game vs. Australia and the feelings between her and Rapinoe.

TORONTO — Michael Bradley, one of the most capped players in the history of the U.S. men's team and an all-time great for Toronto FC, will retire as a professional after the 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, the club said on Tuesday.

Bradley joined Toronto in 2014 and the long-time captain was a key player in the club's treble-winning season in 2017 when the Reds captured the MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield, and Canadian Championship.

Megan Rapinoe might have played her final home game for the OL Reign on Friday, and the numbers are in. The people showed out in person and tuning in.

Friday’s 0-0 draw between the OL Reign and the Washington Spirit had 683,000 viewers which set the record for a regular season NWSL game. Inside Lumen Field the all-time NWSL attendance record was set with 34,130 fans.

Former Real Madrid and Chelsea winger Eden Hazard announced his retirement from football at the age of 32 on Tuesday four months after leaving the Spanish giants.

The former Belgium international joined Real in 2019 as the club's record signing but suffered injuries and struggled to settle at the Santiago Bernabeu during a dismal four-year spell.

Despite limited playing time at Real, Hazard won several trophies, including the Champions League and two LaLiga titles.

Julie Ertz wore the captain’s armband for her 123rd and final appearance with the United States women’s national team on Thursday as the U.S. defeated South Africa 3-0 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ertz had her curtain call in the 36th minute as she was given a standing ovation and made way for Andi Sullivan. Before exiting the field, she hugged teammates, acknowledged the 22,016 fans and passed the armband off to Lindsey Horan.

Here were her final moments as a USWNT player.

United States women’s national team fans will be asking, “why did Julie Ertz retire?” after she plays her final game on Thursday.

Ertz, 31, showed at the 2023 Women’s World Cup that age isn’t slowing her down one bit as she played every minute in the tournament and was dominant in defense.  

The reason for her retirement? Spending time with family and raising her baby boy, Madden.

UPDATE: Neymar did record an assist vs. Peru meaning that he has tied the record.

American fans were rather surprised this week to learn that United States men’s national team legend Landon Donovan holds the all-time international record for most assists with 58.

Listen, we knew he had quite a few assists for the USMNT, but we don’t think many people knew that he had more than any man in international soccer history.

We’re going to get to see Julie Ertz play for the United States women’s national team one last time. The 31-year-old midfielder/defender announced her retirement from the sport on Aug. 31 but will return for a send-off game.

When is Julie Ertz last game?

Ertz’s last game will on Thursday, Sept. 21 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.