‘Perfect time for me to say goodbye’ Winnipeg’s Scott to hang up cleats at season’s end, eyes off-field soccer role By: Mike Sawatzky Posted: 9:00 AM CDT Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 Last Modified: 5:36 PM CDT Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 Updates

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Desiree Scott knew her time was up.

She missed the entire 2023 soccer season with a knee injury — the rehab for a torn meniscus stretching into an 18-month ordeal — and the death of her mom, Charlene Gusberti, early in 2024, pushed back her return to the pitch another three weeks.

Once cleared for active duty, the 37-year-old midfielder from Winnipeg was at a loss to understand why she was used so sparingly by the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League.

On Thursday morning, Scott confirmed a decision she had been wrestling with for months when she announced she is retiring from the NWSL, effective at the end of the 2024 season.

“It’s been on my mind probably since the beginning of the year, and then just kind of how the year played out for me the last six months has been challenging,” said Scott by phone from Kansas City, where she has played in nine of Kansas City’s 24 regular-season games with only 94 minutes on the field.

“Obviously, life outside of soccer — losing my mom — and then just the way the season has gone, not getting a ton of playing time, and the days are getting harder and harder. I just made that decision to have this be my last season here.”

Thursday’s announcement stamps 2024 as her final season in the NWSL. Scott’s national team retirement is expected to come later this year.

She was first left off the national team roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics and added as an injury replacement prior to the Games, but never saw any action.

Scott, who earned bronze medals with Canada at the London Games in 2012 and 2016 Rio Olympics, crowned those achievements with a gold in Tokyo in 2021.

She will retire as the most decorated soccer player in Manitoba history, earning 187 caps since joining the national team in 2010.

“I think through the injury I debated (retirement) because I didn’t know if I would be the same Desiree Scott — Destroyer mode,” said Scott. “And just going through pre-season, and this season is long and what we do as pro athletes is challenging, and with life being very hard, I just think when you know, you know.

“That’s the advice I got and I just feel like this is the perfect time for me to say goodbye.”

Scott had ongoing conversations about retirement with family members, her son DeeJay, and boyfriend Jerricus Funderburke.

“They know this last year and a half has been very challenging and they’ve been on the other end of the phone call when I’m crying — through the hardships and through the highs,” said Scott. “They’ve just been so supportive. It’s my decision and they said if this is it, we have enjoyed watching you play. You’ve done so much for your career. You should be proud, and we’ll be here with open arms when when you get home.”

Scott and Funderburke met in Kansas City.

“His best friend plays on the men’s Sporting (KC Major League Soccer) team and so he was kind of involved in soccer community in that way,” said Scott. “And then we met and the rest is history. He’s at every game every weekend and one of my biggest supporters.”

Scott’s official retirement game is the club’s final regular-season home game Saturday against San Diego Wave FC. The NWSL playoffs are scheduled to begin on Nov. 8.

After the post-season is finished, Scott is packing up and moving back to her hometown. Her future in the game is already taking shape.

Christina Litz, president of the fledgling women’s pro soccer Northern Super League, had previously touted Scott as the potential face of a franchise in Winnipeg. However, a team from the Manitoba capital is not among the six slated to play during the NSL’s inaugural season in 2025.

The league plans to expand in 2027 and Scott has been in touch with former teammate, Diana Matheson, the NSL’s founder and chief growth officer.

“I’ve got (former national team goalkeeper) Steph Labbé and other friends and former teammates that are building this league,” said Scott. “I’ve tried to push to get a team to Winnipeg and that’s still on my docket. My involvement with the league is going to be inevitable. In just what capacity, I’m not quite sure yet.”

Scott downplayed a suggestion she would make an obvious choice to serve as general manager of a Winnipeg franchise.

“No, I hate conflict,” said Scott. “I hate being the bad guy and I think you have to have that side of you (to do that job)…

“I have such a big heart and want to make sure people are looked after. So I definitely have a passion for coaching and a passion for player care.”

The four-time Olympian could also be involved with the national team program.

“I don’t think it’ll hit me until after I’m done and I’m sitting at home and don’t have to wake up for training and no one’s telling me where to go and what runs to do,” said Scott. “It’s going to be pretty drastic, I’m sure. And a big change. But I’ve had such a wonderful career, so I look back and I’m grateful and thankful for everything that I’ve been through and done.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca