Christine Sinclair, Crystal Dunn and Lindsey Horan named to The Guardian’s top 100 female soccer players

Portland Thorns FC had three more players named to The Guardian’s list of the 100 best female footballers: Christine Sinclair, Crystal Dunn and Lindsey Horan.

Christine Sinclair came in at 31st on the list.

Even at 37, it appears there is no slowing down the great Sinclair. Her year started in historic fashion when her two goals in an Olympic qualifier made her the top scorer in international football, surpassing Abby Wambach’s long-standing record. At club level, Sinclair played almost every minute of the NWSL Challenge Cup and came alive with some stunning performances in the Fall Series, scoring six goals in just four games, including a superb hat-trick against OL Reign. Her vision and physicality make her a valuable asset to the Thorns and she continues to prove she can score goals at the highest level.

The Thorns’ blockbuster signing, Crystal Dunn, was named ten spots later at 21st.

Dunn has it all and is one of a few players who can jump between defensive and attacking roles for club and country. Her importance to North Carolina Courage was evident as ever during the Challenge Cup, her desire and drive to get forward with her natural attacking instincts making her a key outlet. For the USA, Dunn has continued to be used in a left-back role under Vlatko Andonovski and has been part of a team that have conceded just one goal all year. One of the best at taking on opponents, a new challenge awaits Dunn in 2021 after being traded to Portland Thorns.

Lindsey Horan was ranked just above Dunn at 18th on The Guardian’s list.

There’s a reason Horan is affectionately known in the US as “The Great Horan”,” wrote Laverty. “Her stature and physicality make her a formidable opponent and that’s before getting to her technical skills. She was one of the USA’s most creative forces in 2020, conjuring 10 key chances for her teammates but she didn’t shirk away from chipping in herself, seven goals making her the joint highest for the No 1 ranked team this year. It’s not just for country where she impressed either, ranking as one of the most creative players at club level too despite a reduced schedule with the Thorns. Horan opted to play in both the Challenge Cup and Fall Series and remained a key player for the Thorns in both, making her way back into the top 20 in this list with her impressive performances.

So far, only one other Thorn has made an appearance, with recent acquisition Natalia Kuikka coming in at 92nd. You can take a look at the rest of the list here.