While Christine Sinclair edges closer to the all-time international goals record, her team will be chasing a title.

Fifth-ranked Canada embarks on its WomenB次元官网网址檚 World Cup quest in France with its captain sitting at 181 career goals B次元官网网址� four away from breaking former U.S. star Abby WambachB次元官网网址檚 global record (among men and women) of 184.

READ MORE:

Sinclair has spent 19 years with the national team, time during which Canada has seen its profile rise dramatically on the international stage. Known for being soft-spoken and humble, sheB次元官网网址檇 rather keep the focus on the team.

B次元官网网址淢y time on the national team has been a roller coaster, a journey, ups and downs. And I can honestly say IB次元官网网址檝e been waiting my entire career for this team, in that weB次元官网网址檙e so talented and have the depth to be able to compete at World Cups and Olympics. That excites me,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just so much more talented than weB次元官网网址檝e ever been.B次元官网网址�

Now 35, it will be SinclairB次元官网网址檚 fifth, and likely last, World Cup.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 unbelievable what sheB次元官网网址檚 done. I mean itB次元官网网址檚 a privilege to play with her. I think anyone who has played with Sinc knows what kind of leader she is, how humble she is given what sheB次元官网网址檚 done. SheB次元官网网址檚 literally the best forward thatB次元官网网址檚 ever played the game,B次元官网网址� teammate Diana Matheson said. B次元官网网址淗er attitude and what kind of teammate she has been is just second to none for every time, every team she plays for.B次元官网网址�

The Canadians were dealt a blow when Matheson was recently ruled out of the World Cup because of a toe injury. A national team regular since her debut in 2003, Matheson collected her 200th cap with the team during the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Texas last fall.

Also sitting out the World Cup is veteran goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who has plantar fasciitis. She had appeared in the previous four World Cups for Canada.

Matheson, who plays for the Utah Royals in the National WomenB次元官网网址檚 Soccer League, issued a statement expressing her disappointment.

B次元官网网址淯nfortunately, despite great support from Canada Soccer and Utah Royals FC, I am unable to play through this injury and will be undergoing surgery as soon as possible to start the recovery process,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 look forward to cheering on our team from home along with the rest of Canada.B次元官网网址�

The Canadians have won two straight bronze medals at the Olympics, but theyB次元官网网址檝e never been on the podium at soccerB次元官网网址檚 most prestigious tournament. Their best result was a fourth-place finish in 2003.

It was disappointing four years ago when Canada hosted the World Cup and lost to England in the quarterfinals. The United States beat Japan in the final in Vancouver for the title.

Since then, there has been some change at the top. John Herdman, who coached the increasingly successful team for eight seasons, has taken over the Canadian menB次元官网网址檚 national team. He was replaced last year by Kenneth Heiner-Moller, the former coach of the Danish womenB次元官网网址檚 team who was an assistant on HerdmanB次元官网网址檚 staff at the 2015 World Cup.

Without McLeod, Canada will turn to Stephanie Labb茅, who also plays for the North Carolina Courage. Adriana Leon, a 26-year-old forward who plays for West Ham United, had a pair of goals during qualifying, as did forward Janine Beckie, who plays for Manchester City. Midfielder Sophie Schmidt, 30, is expected to play in her fourth World Cup.

Canada, in Group E in France, will open the tournament with Cameroon on June 10 in Montpellier before travelling to Grenoble to play New Zealand. The Canadians wrap up the group on June 20 in Reims against the Netherlands.

Sinclair hopes Canada creates a legacy to build on long after sheB次元官网网址檚 gone.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got an amazing group of veterans that all do their fair share leading this group. We all have our different strengths and weaknesses in helping younger players,B次元官网网址� Sinclair said after a recent exhibition. B次元官网网址淛ust the connection we have B次元官网网址� whether youB次元官网网址檝e been on the team for a few years like myself or this is your first year B次元官网网址� I hope we provide a safe and welcoming environment where everyone has a voice and feels important. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what we pride ourselves on.B次元官网网址�

Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press

Like us on and follow us on .