The end of the Christine Sinclair era marks more than just the finality of the career of Canada’s best soccer player. It also signifies a turning point in the leadership of the women’s national team.

Sinclair has been Captain Canada since 2006, having led the team at five World Cups and four Olympics. But after she walks off the pitch for the last time on Tuesday in Vancouver, it will be time for someone else to take the mantle.

While head coach Bev Priestman has pointed to several different players who have grown into leadership roles, especially over this past year, Jessie Fleming may be the front-runner to be Sinclair’s successor.

The midfielder has worn the captain’s armband in several recent matches for Canada, including last Friday in Langford, B.C. against Australia, as well as the two Olympics qualifiers versus Jamaica in September and during the match against the Republic of Ireland at this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Last month, Priestman said that the team will go through the process of naming a captain and that a more official announcement will be forthcoming.

But she is cautious of what it means for the player who steps into the role vacated by Sinclair.

“I think that's a big flag of mine because it's massive shoes to fill. It'll be like the player that wears No. 12. I think that's a huge amount of pressure,” Priestman told TSN.

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