Winnipeg’s Scott conspicuously absent from national team roster

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This article was published 09/07/2023 (791 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In the end, six months of gruelling rehab on her surgically repaired knee wasn’t enough time for Desiree Scott. 

A decorated three-time Olympic medallist and 13-year veteran of national women’s soccer team, the 35-year-old midfielder from Winnipeg was left off the 23-player roster for Canada’s upcoming games at the Women’s World Cup, announced Sunday by head coach Bev Priestman. 

“Heartbroken to know I will not be participating at the World Cup this summer, despite every effort and final push in my rehab process to make it so,” said Scott, nicknamed the Destroyer, in a post to her Instagram account. “I was so hopeful to make it back in time but sometimes the story just doesn’t get written how you’d want it to. 

“This team has my heart and are my family and deserve the best version of Desiree Scott. Missing this tournament will be one of the hardest things I’ve had to do but if my rehab process has taught me anything, it’s that I still love this game so much and nothing worth having comes easy. I’ll continue to put in work to get back to being the Destroyer we all know. “ 

Scott, who captains the National Women’s Soccer League Kansas City Current, had been working to return to league play since surgery in January. 

Priestman, speaking to reporters from site of Canada’s pre-tournament camp in Australia, wanted badly to include Scott on the roster. 

“I think not as close as we would have liked,” said Priestman of Scott’s readiness for game action. “I think… (she) has made great strides since she’s been here. I would do anything, to be honest with you, to get Desi in this 23… If there’s one player I know that I want in this 23, it was Desiree Scott… but, you know, again, my job is to do what’s right for the team and not also take huge risks.” 

Scott had not played in a NWSL game so far in 2023 but had hoped to regain her fitness to return to the World Cup, where she had been a mainstay for the national team at the 2011, 2015 and 2019 tournaments. 

She has won 186 caps for her country. 

Priestman was asked what Scott’s absence would mean to the Canadian squad. 

“Where do I start?” said Priestman. “I think on the pitch, it’s obvious. I think rates of play, (she) gets around the pitch, known as the Destroyer, and I think she’s earned that name every single time she stepped on the pitch for Canada. 

“She a bit of the heartbeat of the team, both on the pitch and off the pitch… To have her back in this preparation camp, the minute she walked in the room, you feel it, you see it, and she’s just an incredible human being… It will be felt. I mean, you can’t hide from that.” 

Scott had considered retiring from her playing career in 2021 but opted to extend her career. On Sunday, she sounded eager to return to active duty. 

Playing for Canada at the 2024 Olympics, which would be her fourth trip to the Summer Games, is not out of the question. 

“I am so grateful for all the support surrounding me to get me back out on the pitch again soon!” she added in her Instagram post. “Until then I’ll be the biggest hype-woman cheering so freaking loud as this group begins their WC Journey.” 

The defending Olympic champions, ranked No. 7 in the world, are at a training camp in Australia to prepare for their World Cup Group B opener on July 20 against No. 40 Nigeria in Melbourne. 

The Canadians also play No. 22 Ireland on July 26 before facing co-host Australia, ranked No. 10 on July 31. 

Earlier this year, Scott expressed optimism about being ready to rejoin the national team and had conversations with Priestman to confirm her interest in continuing. 

“My surgery went well, and rehabbing that is a new path and journey for me,” Scott told the Free Press in April. “But there are sort of those doubts, like, ‘Will I get back to being that physical player? Will I be hesitant in my play?’ Because really, I don’t think about what I do, so I’ll have to work on that side when I get back out there… 

“I’m trying to find my way of having impact on the team in a positive way but not being out at training every day is tough.” 

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca 

Twitter: @sawa14