Olympian Scott excited to play at home in soccer match against U.S.

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This article was published 01/05/2014 (4527 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There is a long list of accomplishments on Desiree Scott’s resume with the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team.

But next week’s game against the United States at Investors Group Field will represent a couple of firsts: not only will she be playing in her hometown for the first time in Canada’s colours, she will be doing so in front of family.

“Believe it or not, this is going to be the first time her mom and family are going to see her play live,” said Canadian head coach Jon Herdman during a conference call with the national media on Thursday. “And for any player that’s just a wonderful achievement, to be able to put that shirt on not only in front of your hometown but in front of the people that have really helped you to get to where you get to. The team will sense that, they know it will be important for Des. Part of the team’s job will be help her focus on being Desi ‘The Destroyer’ (her nickname) and doing the things she does well and not over-thinking this whole situation and being part of enjoying the experience.

“It’s a massive thing for Desiree and we’ve all got a big smile on our face that the local kid can come back home and show her talent on the world stage.”

Scott — currently playing for the Notts County Ladies FC in Nottingham, England – was en route back to Winnipeg on Thursday, but did use her Twitter account to offer a glimpse of her excitement.

 

Up up nd away!! �� – ✈️- ⌚️- ��-��Looooooong day ahead of me but it’s all gon b worth it once I get home nd see the fam! #TheLifeILive

— Desiree Scott (@MsDScott11) May 1, 2014

 

Canada announced its’ 21-player roster for the May 8th friendly and it will not only include Scott, but star striker Christine Sinclair and the return of forward Melissa Tancredi, who took time off after the Olympics to finish her chiropractic program degree. Ticket sales for the game have already reached the 25,000 mark and officials are hoping that number grows in the week ahead.

The game will be the first home game for Canada in 2014 that will be followed later by a June 18th date with Germany in Vancouver. And playing in front of a growing legion of Canadian fans who have fallen in love with this squad over the last few years will be huge.

“The first thought and feeling is the excitement of coming into Winnipeg for the first time with this team in many years,” said Herdman. “The fans have done their part, it looks like we’ll have great atmosphere at the game. This game is absolutely gold for us because you can’t replicate stepping out in front of a truly passionate Canadian crowd that want you to do so well.”

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait

 

CANADA

GK- Karina LeBlanc, Chicago Red Stars
GK- Erin McLeod, Houston Dash
D- Kadeisha Buchanan, West Virginia University
D- Robyn Gayle, Washington Spirit
D- Carmelina Moscato, Seattle Reign FC
D- Rebecca Quinn, Duke University
D- Rhian Wilkinson, Comètes de Laval
D- Sura Yekka, Brams United
M- Kaylyn Kyle, Houston Dash
M- Diana Matheson, Washington Spirit
M- Sophie Schmidt, Sky Blue FC
M- Desiree Scott, Notts County Ladies
M- Jessie Fleming, London NorWest SC
M- Ashley Lawrence, West Virginia University
M- Brittany Baxter, Seattle Sounders Women
F- Jonelle Filigno, Sky Blue FC
F- Nkem Ezurike, Boston Breakers
F- Adriana Leon, Chicago Red Stars
F- Christine Sinclair, Portland Thorns FC
F- Josée Bélanger, Comètes de Laval
F- Melissa Tancredi, Chicago Red Stars

United States

GK- Ashlyn Harris, Washington Spirit
GK- Jill Loyden, Sky Blue FC
GK- Hope Solo, Seattle Reign FC
D-Stephanie Cox, Seattle Reign FC
D- Crystal Dunn, Washington Spirit
D- Whitney Engen, Tyreso
D- Meghan Klingenberg, Tyreso
D- Ali Krieger, Washington Spirit
D- Nikki Marshall, Portland Thorns FC
D- Kelley O’Hara, Sky Blue FC
D- Christie Rampone, Sky Blue FC
D- Becky Sauerbrunn, FC Kansas City
M- Morgan Brian, Virginia
M- Lauren Holiday, FC Kansas City
M- Julie Johnston, Chicago Red Stars
M- Carli Lloyd, WNY Flash
M- Allie Long, Portland Thorns FC
M- Heather O’Reilly, Boston Breakers
F- Sydney Leroux, Seattle Reign FC
F- Christen Press, Tyreso
F- Amy Rodriguez, FC Kansas City
F- Abby Wambach, WNY Flash