Christine Sinclair had no idea when she first tugged on a Canada jersey that shed ever make anywhere near No. Giancarlo Stanton Jersey . 200. But on the eve of her 200th appearance, Canadas captain and one of the games finest female players said its a testament to how the national womens program has grown over the course of her career. "Someone like Charmaine Hooper, she played on the national team forever and never made 200 caps," Sinclair told The Canadian Press in a phone interview Wednesday. "Andrea Neil as well. . . there just werent as many games played. Then you look at myself at 200 caps. We have so many players that are above 100 caps, and that had never happened before. "It just goes to show the support the womens team has been given, and just the sheer number of international games we get to play now." Neil played 132 games for Canada, while Hooper played 129. Of the current Canadian womens squad, Diana Matheson has 154 caps, Rhian Wilkinson has 143, followed by Sophie Schmidt (109) and Karina LeBlanc (106). The 30-year-old Sinclair will earn her 200th cap -- yet another major milestone in a career paved with them -- when the Canadians play Scotland in the opening game of the Torneio Internacional Cidade de Sao Paolo tournament in Brazil. "I think everyones excited," said Canadas coach John Herdman. "Im pleased youve reminded us (of Sinclairs 200th cap) because I think we almost forgot, weve been that focused on our work preparing for this first game against Scotland. I know it will get mentioned in one of the meetings (Thursday). For Sinclair, were just hoping she puts a goal in." The Burnaby, B.C., native has 146 career goals, and is third behind Americans Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm. Of the countless memories shes compiled over 199 games, she said her "once-a-career-type" goal happened at this same tournament in Brasilia in 2010. Canada was trailing Brazil in the final and was down to 10 players when Sinclair scored in the 82nd minute. The tie gave Canada the tournament victory based on goal difference. "Just received a pass from Melissa Tancredi, I was probably 30 yards out. One-timed it, left foot, top corner," Sinclair said. "It was one of those things that youll never do again. But in terms of striking a ball, thats one that I remember." Her first game was against China in the Algarve Cup. She was 16. "I remember being so nervous because I had just watched them win a silver medal at the World Cup, in that famous game against the Americans in 1999, and next thing I know here I am playing against them, and just being so nervous," Sinclair said. Her first goal came in her very next appearance, versus Norway. "That was interesting because it was the team Even (Pellerud, Canadas coach at the time) used to coach, and they were one of the best teams in the world, and all we had been told is their goalkeeper (Bente Nordby) was the best goalkeeper in the world," Sinclair said. "I intercepted a pass from one of their centre-backs and I went in on a breakaway and scored, and it was crazy. It was obviously a goal Ill never forget." No question, she said, her best memories -- and greatest feeling of accomplishment -- came at the London Olympics, where the Canadian women beat France for bronze. Sinclair said her parents still ask her why shes missing from all the pictures of her teammates celebrating on the pitch in Coventry. "I have to explain to them You dont understand, the whistle blew and I broke down in tears," she said. "You work so hard to accomplish that and to actually reach one of your childhood dreams, not many people can say they actually get to do that, and I was just completely overwhelmed by the whole winning a bronze medal, and then stepping onto the podium and seeing the Canadian flag rise. Its pretty special." Sinclair said, like most of her teammates, shes only thinking as far ahead as the womens World Cup in Canada in 2015, and the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Shell re-evaluate everything after that. "Right now, talking on the phone, I cant imagine only playing for two more years," she said. "Assuming I can stay healthy, obviously I want to keep going." Brazil, at No. 4, is the top-ranked team in the four-country tournament. The seventh-ranked Canadians play unranked Chile on Dec. 15, and Brazil on the Dec. 18. The final is Dec. 22. 19:23ET 11-12-13 Brett Gardner Jersey . "Theyve been good against everybody," he said. Carlos Gomez launched a three-run homer and Matt Garza battled into the seventh inning for his first win in four starts to help the Brewers continue their mastery of the Rockies with a 7-4 victory Saturday. Alex Rodriguez Jersey . -- Challenged for the first time under Major League Baseballs expanded replay system, umpires got it right. http://www.yankeesrookiestore.com/Yankees-Greg-Bird-Kids-Jersey/ . Those cheers seemed more special this time because the captains run on Broadway could soon be over. The adoration surely sounded much nicer to Callahan than all the recent trade talk.Marian Hossa is as close to a living legend as the Chicago Blackhawks have in their dressing room. Younger teammates are eager to call him special and revere him as a role model.It means Im older, Hossa said. Im just glad I can still play.Hossa can still play, and his consistency at both ends of the ice is a piece of what makes the Blackhawks perennial Stanley Cup contenders. Hes 35 now and this season passed the 1,100-game mark, but on a team led by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, Hossa keeps things together as one of the NHLs best defensive forwards.He just flies on the backcheck. Theres a lot of guys that skate a lot faster going forward than they do coming back to their own end, and hes not that way, Kane said. Hes so good at stripping the puck. Hes also good in these one-on-one battles where more often than not youre going to see him coming away with the puck.He doesnt seem to get any older, either. He seems to get better and better each year.This is Hossas 16th full NHL season and he remains a key cog for the Blackhawks, who have won the Cup twice in the past five years and visit the Washington Capitals on Thursday in the Winter Classic. Hossa is averaging 0.65 points a game, the lowest since his rookie year with the Ottawa Senators, but his two-way game is responsible for preventing more than a few goals against.Teammates past and present marvel at what Hossa can do in the defensive zone and without the puck.Hes got that powerful stride that gets him back in the play easily, said former Blackhawks forward Jeremy Morin, whos now with the Columbus Blue Jackets. And he can take the puck off your stick with ease. Hes so strong on the stick and its always in the right position. He can steal pucks with the best in the league, for sure.That, Blackhawks winger Brandon Saad said, is how Hossa turns defence into offence. In 1,127 games, Hossa has 472 goals and 547 assists.Hossa is 76th on the all-time points list, ahead of Hockey Hall of Famers Pat LaFontaine, Lanny McDonald and Maurice Richard. Hes 52nd in goals, ahead of LaFontaine, Doug Gilmour and Pavel Bure, and third among active players.His career numbers are similar too former Senators teammate Daniel Alfredsson, who retired earlier this month after putting up 426 goals and 682 assists in 1,178 games. Lou Gehrig Jersey. But Hossa may be one of the most underrated players in the NHL now and as a result is considered a borderline Hall of Famer at best.Maybe I would have more numbers but maybe some other teams wouldnt want me, Hossa said. Theres an advantage and disadvantage with that. Obviously Im happy how the outcome played out.Hossa has two Stanley Cup rings and appeared in the final two other times. A five-time all-star, the Slovak winger with four Olympic appearances has a case, even if its not easy to quantify.I know (from) being around him and still dominating like he does, I think its his 17th year, hes always been a great player, Saad said. Im not sure exactly the reason, but theres so many little things the guy does, its incredible.Hossa still has six seasons left on his contract at a cap hit of US$5.275 million, so he likely has plenty of time before the Hall of Fame question even comes up. Judging from his assessment of 1,000 career points that he has been lucky, Hossa probably isnt all that worried about it.Truth be told, Hossa has been fortunate to avoid injuries throughout most of his career. The fewest games he played in a full season was 57 in 2009-10.Hossa gets some practices off because of his age and experience, but that doesnt seem to detract from his play. Coach Joel Quenneville calls him a great pro and a player who reinforces what the staff wants out of the team.Defensively and offensively hes got a great thought process, Quenneville said. Game in, game out, you use him in all situations. Hes a very useful player.Before joining Chicago, Hossa was more than just a useful player for the Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. Despite all that, its possible hes still under-appreciated.But not by the Blackhawks.We definitely know how special of a player he is, whether he gets the recognition or not, Saad said. Its pretty surreal to see a guy like that still playing and still doing as well as hes doing.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter. Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Mets Jerseys Cheap Phillies Jerseys Cheap Nationals Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Brewers Jerseys Cheap Pirates Jerseys Cheap Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Padres Jerseys Cheap Giants Jerseys ' ' '