Scott suiting up for World Cup

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This article was published 17/06/2011 (5510 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Desiree SCOTT is blazing a trail for herself and Manitoba at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup of soccer.

 

The 23-year-old midfielder from Winnipeg was named to the roster on Thursday when head coach Carolina Morace announced the players who will represent Canada in the world’s biggest women’s sporting event set for June 26-July 17 in nine German cities.

Scott is the first Manitoba born and trained player to be named to Canada’s Women’s World Cup roster. The Canadian side also includes Chelsea Stewart from The Pas, who grew up in Colorado. Canadian Soccer Association records show 64 players have represented Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup with Scott and Stewart being the only players attached to Manitoba.

“It is such a complete honour to be able to represent my country at such a huge event and be able to play with such a great group of girls and just to represent Manitoba, I’m really proud for that,” said Scott in a telephone interview from Rome where Team Canada is training and playing exhibition games. “It’s really super exciting for me and I’m really excited for our team to see what we can do there (in Germany).”

Scott could not conceal her enthusiasm about the opportunities she is receiving as part of Canada’s World Cup team. The team has been living at a venue that is both a hotel and world-class soccer training facility in Rome for the past two months.

“Isn’t it just bananas? I look around, I go downtown, I see the Coliseum there and all this history. I am just so fortunate to be able to train here and be with Team Canada,” said Scott, a graduate of West Kildonan Collegiate who played youth soccer with the Northwest Hurricanes and South End United. She played senior women’s with Sweat Shack.

The 21-player Canadian team leaves on Sunday for Germany where it will open play on June 26 against host Germany in Berlin. Canada’s other opening-round opponents include France on June 30 in Bochum and Nigeria on July 5 in Dresden.

“It has been a battle (to make the team), everyone here is such a high calibre of player. So every day is a battle on the field but I’ve usually been the first sub to go in so that’s a good sign for me,” said Scott, noting she has been getting 30-45 minutes of playing time in the five matches played during the past month leading up to the World Cup.

She played the entire second half in last Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Korea.

Last year, Scott helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifier and was part of back-to-back championships for Canada in the Cyprus Women’s Cup in 2010 and 2011. Scott has previously made 22 appearances with Team Canada.

This will be the fifth straight time, dating back to 1995, that Canada has participated in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Canada has already qualified for the next World Cup in 2015 when the event will be hosted by Canada. Winnipeg is one of seven cities bidding to host games in the event.

“Earning a starting spot is definitely my goal, especially with the tournament coming to Canada in 2015. With a couple of more years of experience and improving as a player, I’m hoping by then I can,” Scott said.

Scott played five years (2005-2010) with the U of M Bisons, was a four-time conference all-star and capped her career being named Bisons Sports female athlete of the year in 2009-10.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca