Canada coach says Sinclair's influence, example will be felt long after she retires

While the countdown has started on Christine Sinclair's international career, coach Bev Priestman says the longtime Canada captain's impact will be felt long after she's gone.

"I've heard her say the team is in safe hands. I think she's very much done that," Priestman said after Canada's final training session before Saturday's friendly against Brazil. "In everything that she does.

"She comes into a meeting with a notepad every time. Makes so many notes. There's high-performance habits that the captain has led by example and it's never changed. Everyone follows her lead."

Priestman noted Sinclair's work at a recent practice.

"We've got two new players in [goalkeeper Melissa Dagenais and midfielder Emma Regan] and the other day, the greatest player of all-time is doing extra fitness at the end of the session. Little things like that set the tone."

The 10th-ranked Canadian women take on No. 9 Brazil on Saturday at Montreal's Saputo Stadium and Tuesday at Halifax's Wanderers Ground.

Sinclair will then call time on her Canada career with a pair of games against No. 11 Australia on home turf — Dec. 1 at Langford's Starlight Stadium and Dec. 5 at Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium.

WATCH | Sinclair always came up big when it mattered most:

The 40-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., plans to play one more season with her club team, the NWSL's Portland Thorns.

The Canadians trained Friday morning in light drizzle at Saputo Stadium, warming up to the sound of Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Shawn Mendes and T.I.

Defender Gabby Carle worked out on her own, her left leg taped, apart from the main team as it warmed up in the portion of training open to the media. Priestman said Carle would be available, saying she was dealing with a "niggle."

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