Desiree Scott of Canada celebrates after her team's 2-1 victory over Chile in a women’s soccer match during the 2020 Summer Olympics on Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. AP Photo
Desiree Scott, a renowned defensive midfielder known for her fierce playing style, has announced her retirement after the current National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. The 37-year-old Winnipeg native, affectionately nicknamed "the Destroyer," has made significant contributions to Canadian soccer, earning 187 caps for her national team throughout her impressive career.
Scott has spent seven seasons playing professionally in Kansas City, representing both FC Kansas City and Kansas City Current. She has also had stints with the Utah Royals, England’s Notts County, and the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team. Reflecting on her decision to retire, Scott shared her thoughts in a heartfelt social media video, saying, “It is bittersweet to think about this moment but I know that the timing is right. It’s time. Your girl’s tired. I also know in my heart of hearts I’m at peace with this decision. I’ve given so much to the game over the last 20-plus years but it has given me so much back in return.”
Scott is well known for her tenacity on the field, with crunching tackles being her signature move. Former Canada coach John Herdman famously dubbed her the "Destroyer" during the 2012 Olympic qualifiers. Scott recalls, “He did an interview after and he said ‘How about that Desi Scott?’ He just said, ‘She’s destroying them out there,’ and it just sort of stuck from there.”
In recent years, injuries have plagued Scott's career. She missed the entire 2023 season due to a knee injury but made her comeback on March 30, 2024, during a match against Angel City FC. Her last appearances for Canada were in June, when she played in two friendlies against Mexico in Montreal and Toronto, marking her first games for the national team since November 2022.
Scott's journey with the Canadian national team began when she made her debut at 22 years old in February 2010, contributing to a 2-1 victory over Switzerland during the Cyprus Cup. Over the years, she has become one of Canada's most capped players, joining the elite group that includes legends like Christine Sinclair and Diana Matheson. Throughout her career, Scott participated in three World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019) and secured three Olympic medals: bronze in 2012 and 2016 and gold in 2021.
With over 10,000 minutes played in her NWSL career, Scott reached this milestone while playing for the Current on August 7, 2022. At that time, she became only the second Canadian to achieve this significant feat in the league's history. Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski praised her saying, “Desiree Scott is one of the smartest soccer players I have had the pleasure to work with. More than that, she is possibly the most genuine person I have ever met. She has a true love for the game and everyone around her.”
Scott's journey also includes five years at the University of Manitoba, where she was a three-time MVP and was honoured as the Bison Sports Female Athlete of the Year in 2009-10. After joining the NWSL in 2013, Scott played for various teams, including a memorable FA Cup final appearance at Wembley Stadium with Notts County.
This Saturday, the Kansas City Current will honour Desiree Scott's remarkable career during their regular-season home finale against the San Diego Wave. With a combined total of 311 matches at the international and club level, Scott leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of soccer players.
