Desiree Scott

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Desiree Scott

| image = NC Courage vs KC Current (Sep 2024) 032.jpg

| caption = Scott with the Kansas City Current in 2024

| fullname = Desiree Rose Marie Scott{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2015/pdf/FWWC_2015_SquadLists.pdf |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 – List of Players: Canada |work=FIFA |page=4 |date=6 July 2015 |access-date=27 December 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608175618/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2015/pdf/FWWC_2015_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|7|31}}

| birth_place = Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

| height = 1.60m

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Ottawa Rapid FC

| clubnumber = 11

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Maples Cougars

| youthyears2 =

| youthclubs2 = North West

| collegeyears1 = 2005–2009

| college1 = Manitoba Bisons

| collegecaps1 =

| collegegoals1 =

| years1 = 2006

| clubs1 = Vancouver Whitecaps FC

| caps1 = 5

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2010–2012

| clubs2 = Vancouver Whitecaps FC

| caps2 = 8

| goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2013

| clubs3 = FC Kansas City

| caps3 = 21

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2014–2015

| clubs4 = Notts County

| caps4 = 20

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2016–2017

| clubs5 = FC Kansas City

| caps5 = 35

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2018–2020

| clubs6 = Utah Royals

| caps6 = 38

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2021–2024

| clubs7 = Kansas City Current

| caps7 = 44

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2025–

| clubs8 = Ottawa Rapid FC

| caps8 = 1

| goals8 = 1

| nationalyears1 = 2003

| nationalteam1 = Canada U16

| nationalcaps1 = 4

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2005–2006

| nationalteam2 = Canada U19

| nationalcaps2 = 21

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2010–2025

| nationalteam3 = Canada

| nationalcaps3 = 188

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| pcupdate = April 27, 2025

| ntupdate = May 31, 2025

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Women's soccer}}

{{MedalCountry|{{Fba|CAN}}}}

}}

Desiree Rose Marie Scott (born July 31, 1987) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for Ottawa Rapid FC in the Northern Super League and the Canada national team. Nicknamed "the destroyer",{{cite news |title=Desiree Scott toughens up Canada's Olympic soccer squad |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/08/desiree-scott-toughens-up-canadas-olympic-soccer-squad |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=8 August 2012 |access-date=11 August 2012 |first=Chris |last=Stevenson}} she won gold at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, which was her third Olympic medal following bronze medals in 2012 in London and in 2016 in Rio.

Early life

Scott was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her father was born in Kingston, Jamaica, while her mother was also born in Winnipeg. She grew up participating in soccer, volleyball, track and field, and basketball.{{Canada Soccer player|accessdate=3 February 2013}} She began playing soccer at the age of eight.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

University career

From 2005 to 2009, Scott played Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) soccer for the University of Manitoba. During her tenure with the Bisons, she was named a first team CIS All-Canadian in 2009. She earned Canada West All-Star honours twice and won the Canada West Rookie of the Year award in 2005.{{cite web |title=Desiree Scott player profile |url=http://www.whitecapsfc.com/women/desiree-scott |publisher=Vancouver Whitecaps FC |access-date=3 February 2013}}

Club career

=Early career=

Scott played for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC from 2006 to 2012. In 2006, Scott appeared in five matches for the Caps (450 minutes), contributing to the team winning their second W-League title that season.

In 2010, she appeared in seven games and two playoff games for the team contributing one goal and one assist. Scott helped carry the Whitecaps to the W-League Championship where they eventually fell to Buffalo in the final.

=FC Kansas City=

In 2013, as part of the NWSL Player Allocation, Scott joined FC Kansas City in the new National Women's Soccer League.{{cite web |title=Player distribution sees NWSL take shape |url=https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/y=2013/m=1/news=player-distribution-sees-nwsl-take-shape-1983348.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925223248/http://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/y=2013/m=1/news=player-distribution-sees-nwsl-take-shape-1983348.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 September 2015 |date=11 January 2013 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=23 October 2018}}{{cite web |title=NWSL team rosters taking shape |url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/8857360/national-women-soccer-league-rosters-taking-shape-college-draft |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216034740/http://espn.go.com/espnw/8857360/national-women-soccer-league-rosters-taking-shape-college-draft |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2013 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=3 February 2013}} Notts County Ladies of the English FA WSL announced that they had signed Scott in January 2014,{{cite web |title=Women's football: Notts County Ladies sign Desiree Scott |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25581058 |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=3 January 2014 |date=2 January 2014}} but she was subsequently included on the list of Canadian players allocated to the NWSL for 2014.{{cite news |title=NWSL reveals updated list of league's allocated players |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundersfc/2014/01/03/nwsl-reveals-updated-list-of-leagues-allocated-players/ |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=3 January 2014 |date=3 January 2014 |first=Joshua |last=Mayers}}

=Notts County=

File:Desiree Scott 2014 (cropped).jpg

In February 2014, after more than a month of speculation and legal delays, Scott was officially signed by Notts County of the FA WSL.{{cite web |title=Desiree Scott's Signing Confirmed |url=http://www.nclfc.co.uk/news/desiree_scotts_signing_confirmed.html |publisher=Notts County |access-date=27 February 2014 |date=27 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025319/http://www.nclfc.co.uk/news/desiree_scotts_signing_confirmed.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} She missed the first half of the 2015 season while preparing for the World Cup with Canada,{{cite news |last1=Aloia |first1=Andrew |title=Women's World Cup: Extend WSL break, says Notts County boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33372039 |access-date=9 February 2016 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 July 2015}} but returned in time for the 2015 FA Women's Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, which County lost 1–0 to Chelsea. She left the club in February 2016 after making 20 league appearances.{{cite news |title=Desiree Scott: Midfielder leaves Notts County for Kansas City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35534594 |access-date=9 February 2016 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2016}}

=Return to FC Kansas City=

In February 2016, it was announced that Scott would play for FC Kansas City for the 2016 season of the National Women's Soccer League via the NWSL Player Allocation.{{cite web |title=National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Canadian Players for 2016 Season |url=http://canadasoccer.com/national-women-s-soccer-league-nwsl-canadian-players-for-2016-season-p159151 |access-date=8 February 2016 |archive-date=11 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211032228/http://www.canadasoccer.com/national-women-s-soccer-league-nwsl-canadian-players-for-2016-season-p159151 |url-status=dead }}

=Utah Royals FC=

In February 2018, the Canadian Soccer Association announced that Scott would play for the Utah Royals FC during the 2018 season of the National Women's Soccer League via the NWSL Player Allocation.{{cite web |title=Canada Soccer announces 2018 NWSL allocations |date=15 February 2018 |publisher=Canada Soccer |url=https://canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-announces-2018-nwsl-allocations-p161398 |access-date=23 October 2018}} She opted out of play during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup and the NWSL Fall Series.

= Kansas City Current =

Utah Royals FC folded in December 2020 and her playing rights were transferred to the Kansas City Current.{{cite web |title=Kansas City Returns to the NWSL as Expansion Team in 2021 |date=7 December 2020 |publisher=NWSL |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/kansas-city-returns-to-the-nwsl-as-expansion-team-in-2021 |access-date=5 January 2021 |archive-date=22 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122154711/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/kansas-city-returns-to-the-nwsl-as-expansion-team-in-2021 |url-status=dead }}

In October 2024, Scott announced that she would retire from the NWSL at the end of the 2024 season.{{Cite news |last=Yang |first=Steph |title=Desiree Scott on retiring after six months of heartbreak: 'You kind of know it's coming' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5849637/2024/10/17/desiree-scott-retirement-kansas-city/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

=Ottawa Rapid FC=

In January 2025, she signed with Northern Super League club Ottawa Rapid FC.{{cite web|url=https://canadiansoccerdaily.com/2025/01/14/ottawa-rapid-swing-big-by-signing-canwnt-icon-desiree-scott/|title=Ottawa Rapid swing big by signing CanWNT icon Desiree Scott|date=January 14, 2025|work=Canadian Soccer Daily|first=Ben|last=Steiner}} Scott scored her first professional goal, in the club's first ever match on April 27, 2025 against AFC Toronto.{{cite web|url=https://www.rapidfc.ca/news/04-27-match-recap-vs-afc-toronto|title=Captain Desiree Scott Secures Ottawa Rapid FC Victory with First Professional Goal in Inaugural Opening Match|date=April 30, 2025|work=Ottawa Rapid FC}}

International career

Scott has previously represented Canada on the U-16 and U-19 youth teams. After being called up to the senior squad by Carolina Morace, she debuted at the 2010 Cyprus Cup and participated in her first FIFA Women's World Cup at the 2011 event, making two substitute appearances. Under coach John Herdman, Scott became a regular pick and won a gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games.{{Cite web |last=Posted |first=Simon Fuller |date=2011-11-09 |title=Nov 2011: Soccer star helps score Pan Am gold for Canada |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/2011/11/09/soccer-star-helps-score-pan-am-gold-for-canada |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Our Communities |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2011-10-25 |title=Desiree Scott |url=https://olympic.ca/team-canada/desiree-scott/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Team Canada - Official Olympic Team Website |language=en-US}}

At the 2012 London Olympics, Scott won praise for her performances in the defensive midfield role, drawing comparison to the male player Edgar Davids.{{cite news |title=Canada beats Great Britain with two early goals to reach Olympic soccer semis |url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/08/03/canada-beats-great-britain-with-two-early-goals-to-reach-olympic-soccer-semis/ |newspaper=National Post |date=6 August 2012 |access-date=11 August 2012 |first=George |last=Johnson|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129160600/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/08/03/canada-beats-great-britain-with-two-early-goals-to-reach-olympic-soccer-semis/|archive-date=29 January 2013|url-status=dead}} She had a major contribution for the team in the bronze medal game, clearing a ball off the line in defence of the goal to keep the score even at zero. Upon return to her native Winnipeg, Scott was serenaded with chants of her name and outbursts of song consisting of the Canadian national anthem at the Winnipeg airport. Scott took note of the welcome with pride saying that "I'm a very emotional person. To come home and hear my name being screamed... I'm holding back tears right now."{{cite news |title=Desiree Scott's the talk of the town |author=Paul Friesen |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Olympics/2012London/News/Canada/2012/08/13/20099966.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115060605/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Olympics/2012London/News/Canada/2012/08/13/20099966.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 January 2013 |publisher=Canoe.ca |date=13 August 2012}}{{cite news |title=Winnipeg welcomes medal-winner Desiree Scott |url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/LIVE--166032966.html |newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press |date=13 August 2012}}

On February 11, 2016 Scott became the 15th women's player to make 100 appearances for Canada.{{Cite web |last=Soccer |first=Media Canada |date=2025-04-22 |title=Canada Soccer Announces CANWNT Home Matches in Winnipeg and Montréal |url=https://news.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-announces-canwnt-home-matches-in-winnipeg-and-montreal |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Canada Soccer Pressroom |language=en}}

In May 2019 Scott was named to the roster for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/together-we-rise-canada-soccer-announces-squad-for-the-fifa-women-s-world-cup-france-2019-p162195-preview-1 |title=Together We Rise: Canada Soccer announces squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 |access-date=25 May 2019 |archive-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606103308/https://www.canadasoccer.com/together-we-rise-canada-soccer-announces-squad-for-the-fifa-women-s-world-cup-france-2019-p162195-preview-1 |url-status=dead }}

Scott was called up to the Canada squad for the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-unveils-womens-national-team-roster-for-the-tokyo-2020-olympic-games/|title=Canada Soccer unveils Women's National Team roster for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games|publisher=Canadian Soccer Association|date=23 June 2021|access-date=23 June 2021}}

Scott was called up to the Canada squad for the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, where Canada finished as runners-up.{{Cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-announce-squad-for-the-2022-concacaf-w-championship/|title=CANADA ANNOUNCE SQUAD FOR THE 2022 CONCACAF W CHAMPIONSHIP|website=canadasoccer.com|date=24 June 2022}}

Scott was an alternate at the 2024 Summer Olympics.{{Cite web |date=20 July 2024 |title=Kansas City Current midfielder Desiree Scott joining Team Canada for 2024 Olympics |url=https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-current-midfielder-desiree-scott-joining-team-ca |access-date=18 November 2024 |website=www.kansascitycurrent.com}}

In April 2025, Scott announced she would retire from international play, and that a friendly against Haiti on May 31, 2025, hosted in Winnipeg, would serve as a celebration of her career and her final international appearance.

Coaching career

Scott is an assistant coach at her alma mater, University of Manitoba. She was an assistant coach for the West Kildonan Collegiate from 2003 until 2005. She also coached at the South End United Soccer Academy, and ran camps for kids while playing with the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian women's national team. Scott has also run soccer clinics and camps, and was presenter and instructor for a number of different high school clubs in Winnipeg.{{cite web |title=Bisons Team Staff |url=http://www.gobisons.ca/index.php?page=team_staff&sport=soccer |publisher=University of Manitoba |access-date=3 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115104202/http://www.gobisons.ca/index.php?page=team_staff&sport=soccer|archive-date=15 January 2013|url-status=dead}}

Scott has been an ambassador for the Homeless World Cup since 2014.{{cite web |title=Homeless World Cup Ambassador Profile |url=https://www.homelessworldcup.org/ambassador/desiree-scott/ |publisher=www.homelessworldcup.org |access-date=3 July 2015}} She is also an athlete ambassador for KidSport Winnipeg, a charity that aims to remove the financial barriers to playing sport, and runs an annual soccer camp for girls on behalf of KidSport Winnipeg.{{Cite web |title=Team KidSport: Desiree Scott |url=https://kidsportcanada.ca/manitoba/news-stories/team-kidsport-desiree-scott-2/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Manitoba |language=en-US}}

Honours

Kansas City Current

NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup: 2024{{cite news|url=https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/match-report-kansas-city-current-win-nwsl-x-liga-mx-femenil-summer-cup-with-2-0-victory-over-nj-ny-gotham-fc|title=Match Report: Kansas City Current win NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup with 2-0 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC|date=2024-10-25|publisher=Kansas City Current|access-date=2024-11-29}}

Canada

Summer Olympics: 2021; bronze medal: 2012, 2016
Pan American Games: 2011

Individual

Canada West Hall of Fame Inductee: 2019 {{Cite news|url= https://www.canadawesthalloffame.org/post/desiree-scott-wsoc-student-athlete|title=Desiree Scott (WSOC Student-athlete)|website=canadawesthalloffame.org/|date=3 September 2019|access-date=25 August 2021|language=en}}

References

External links

{{FIFA player}}
{{Soccerway}}
{{Olympedia}}
{{Olympics.com profile|desiree-rose-marie-scott}}
{{Team Canada|desiree-scott}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20120811064836/http://club.whitecapsfc.com/women/roster/players/desiree_scott.aspx Vancouver Whitecaps bio] (archived)
[http://www.fckansascity.com/roster/desiree-scott/ FC Kansas City player profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20150217170223/http://www.homelessworldcup.com/testimonial/desiree-scott/ Homeless World Cup Ambassador Profile] (archived)
[http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/manitoba/winnipeg/ KidSport Winnipeg]

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Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:Black Canadian women's soccer players

Category:Canadian sportspeople of Jamaican descent

Category:Women's association football midfielders