Sinclair to be honoured alongside Schmidt, McLeod in B.C. friendlies against Australia

Captain Christine Sinclair won't be the only player in the spotlight when Canada hosts Australia in Victoria and Vancouver next month.

Veteran goalkeeper Erin McLeod and midfielder Sophie Schmidt, who have also called time on their international careers, are also being honoured at the Dec. 5 Vancouver game.

The friendly at B.C. Place Stadium, which comes four days after the 10th-ranked Canadians face the 11th-ranked Matildas at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., will serve as the curtain call on Sinclair's decorated international career. More than 35,000 tickets have already been sold for the Vancouver game.

The 40-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., world soccer's all-time leading scorer with 190 goals from 329 senior appearances, announced in October that she was retiring from international football. The B.C. games, taking place in her backyard, mark her swan song.

Sinclair plans to play one more season for the NWSL Portland Thorns.

WATCH | Examining the legacy of Christine Sinclair:

Canada Soccer said Schmidt will join the team for the Vancouver game, which will mark her final international appearance. The 35-year-old from Abbotsford, B.C., who has made 224 appearances for Canada, had previously said she would retire from international football after the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

McLeod last played for Canada in October 2021. The 40-year-old from Edmonton, who has won 119 caps, announced her international retirement in January.

Coach Bev Priestman has announced a 25-player squad for the two December games, with a first senior call-up for Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Jeneva Hernandez Gray.

Hernandez Gray scored the winning goal in last year's League1 BC final, and provided the assist on the decisive goal