Emotional Christine Sinclair says inaugural NSL season 'beginning of bigger and brighter things'

A new chapter starts this week for women's soccer in Canada, as the first-ever pro league, the Northern Super League (NSL) kicks off on home soil.

On Wednesday night, nearly 15,000 fans will gather to watch Vancouver Rise FC and Calgary Wild FC battle it out in the season opener at B.C. Place Stadium at 10 p.m. ET.

The match will be available at CBCSports.ca and on the free CBC Gem streaming service.

For retired Canadian soccer icon Christine Sinclair, a co-owner of Rise FC, the emotions are starting to set in ahead of the season's launch.

"We have literally waited our whole career for this moment and to see this next generation of Canadians have this opportunity…all the young kids in the stands that can dream a different dream than I had growing up," she said. "Right now, I'm a little emotional." 

While Vancouver's subsequent season games will take place at Swangard Stadium, the Burnaby native, who played 23 seasons as forward for Team Canada, says it's only fitting that B.C Place hosts such a historic game.

"With the national team, there were so many iconic moments that happened here at B.C. Place, whether it was qualifying for London, massive games from the World Cup in 2015," Sinclair told CBC Sports. "Vancouver was the first team to jump on board, and Calgary actually was the second. So it's only fitting that these two teams get to launch the league." 

WATCH | Sinclair on NSL's momentous kick-off:

Christine Sinclair says 'exciting times for women's soccer' in Canada as Northern Super League kicks off

For the Canadian players, the NSL is proving a long-awaited opportunity to play at home.

"Talking to Shannon Woeller this morning, the emotion she's going to feel, because she's finally getting to play