Latest news with #DesireeScott
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada triumphs in Desiree Scott's final international match
The Canadian Women's National Team won in a convincing 4-1 decision over Haiti in international friendly play before 9,211 at Princess Auto Stadium. Winnipeg-born midfielder Desiree Scott, playing in the final match of her international career, started the contest and was subbed off in the 55th minute to a standing ovation. She ends her career with 188 caps, which ranks fourth among Canadian women. Janine Sonis assisted on all four of Canada's goals. Adriana Leon scored twice in the opening 10 minutes, Shelina Zadorsky added another in the 50th minute, and Olivia Smith put a bow on the contest in the 90th minute for the No. 7-ranked Canadians, who dominated the match for long stretches. Batcheba Louis registered the lone reply for the No. 51-ranked Haitians in the 52nd minute. Canada and Haiti will play another friendly on June 3 at Montreal's Stade Saputo.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘All about Desi'
The final whistle blew on Desiree Scott's international career in the 55th minute on Saturday. The Winnipeg-born midfielder, who was representing her country for 188th time in Team Canada's friendly against Haiti on home turf, hugged every player and staff member as she exited the pitch, then blew a kiss to the crowd inside Princess Auto Stadium and held her hands over her heart as the 9,211 strong sent her off with a standing ovation. It was the last time that the 37-year-old would don the Red and White in her illustrious career. DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Desiree Scott (11) takes a selfie with fans following her final international match with the Canadian women's national soccer team. Canada beat Haiti 4-1 on Saturday. 'For me, it's just you kind of take a minute to soak it in. In my hometown, Canadian jerseys, Scott Jerseys — just a feeling of true gratefulness and pride for having just repped this jersey for so long, and just so thankful for everyone who supported me,' said Scott, who had 200 family and friends in attendance. 'It was a wonderful moment.' Affectionately known as 'The Destroyer' during her 14-year career, Scott leaves the international stage as one of the most decorated Canadian women's soccer players. She helped Canada win bronze at the London 2012 and Rio 2016, respectively, then reached the top of the mountain at Tokyo 2020. She is one of three players to win three consecutive Olympic medals. 'End of an era, as they say,' said Scott, who was the last player remaining from the 2012 squad. 'Again, not too many players get to write their own script. So, for me to be able to be here, allow myself a game with the team, allowing me to enjoy this moment with the squad one more time, it's things you will never forget. This team's in great hands. You saw some wonderful play out there today — build-up play, combo play, confidence on the ball — and they're going to be doing great in the build-up to the next World Cup.' 'Not too many players get to write their own script. So, for me to be able to be here, allow myself a game with the team, allowing me to enjoy this moment with the squad one more time, it's things you will never forget.'–Desiree Scott The No. 7-ranked Canadians put together a convincing 4-1 victory over the No. 51-ranked Haitians. It brings Team Canada's record to 4-0 all-time against Haiti. Janine Sonis assisted on all four of Canada's goals. Sonis fed Adriana Leon twice in the opening 10 minutes, then found Shelina Zadorsky on a corner kick in the 50th minute. Olivia Smith put a bow on the match in the 90th minute, finishing a Sonis pass with a sweet header. Batcheba Louis registered the lone reply for the Haitians in the 52nd minute. While a victory was important, teammates and coaches made it clear that the day belonged to Scott. 'It was perfect,' said assistant coach Natalie Henderson, who filled in as head coach for Casey Stoney. DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Desiree Scott (11) signs jerseys for fans following her final international match with the Canadian women's national soccer team. Canada beat Haiti 4-1 on Saturday. 'We were super clear as a team that today was all about Desi and what she's done for the game and what she's done for this team. We wanted to give her the best send-off possible, so it was a very good way to start the game and get that send-off going.' Henderson, who only recently joined the national program, had never coached Scott prior to this week. Still, it didn't surprise her when the veteran embraced her upon being subbed off. 'That epitomizes her as a human being, to be honest. We haven't known each other very long, just a few days, but the fact that we have that connection already and to be able to celebrate her is super important,' Henderson said. 'The way she is with people, whether you've known her a long time or whether you've known her a short time, she has a presence when she enters a room, and she's very well loved, and you can sense that right away. I'm really grateful I got an opportunity to spend a few days with her and got to know her as a person, and she deserved everything that she got today.' Scott's international career, which began in 2010, ends with the fourth-most caps by a Canadian and tied with Hege Riise (Denmark) and Laura Georges (France) for the 40th most all time. 'It's been a lot of emotions,' said Leon, who joined the program in 2012. 'A few of us were in tears before the game, and last night, just hearing the speeches and everyone speak about her. She's left such a great mark on so many people.' DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Team Canada's Desiree Scott (11) carries the ball up the pitch in her final international match with the Canadian women's national soccer team. Canada beat Haiti 4-1 on Saturday. 'She's been such a force for this team for so long, and it feels like the end of an era almost. We're going to miss her deeply.' The significance of the occasion was felt on the Haitian bench. Head coach Malou Quignette said the crowd made it difficult for his team to settle into the match. 'We knew before the game that today will be a special day for (Canadian fans). We tried to not focus too much on it and analyze your opponent exactly like it was a normal game. We saw the atmosphere just in the warmup… she's a legend. She deserves this type of event,' Quignette said. Scott announced her retirement from the club and national level last October after 10 seasons in the National Women's Soccer League. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. In January, however, she came out of retirement to sign with the Ottawa Rapid FC of the Northern Super League. Scott will continue to play in the NSL for the remainder of its inaugural season. She has business that needs to be handled. DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Canada's Janine Sonis (16) and Haiti's Kethna Louis (20) fight for the ball. Canada beat Haiti 4-1 on Saturday. 'One thing I don't have on my list is a championship with my club, so we're going to try to work hard and get that box ticked,' she said. X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
Canada defeats Haiti as 14 year veteran player Scott plays final match in the red and white
Canada defeated Haiti 4-1 in Winnipeg Saturday as the friendly match marked the final time Desiree Scott would play for her national team.
CBC
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Leon scores twice as Canada women top Haiti 4-1 in friendly, celebrate Desiree Scott
Adriana Leon scored twice in a 4-1 win over Haiti in a friendly on Saturday, sending longtime Canadian midfielder Desiree Scott off in victorious, celebratory fashion. The 37-year-old Scott took to the international pitch for the last time — her 188th cap — in her hometown. Scott entered the field at Princess Auto Stadium after the rest of her team had taken their position to a rousing, standing ovation. In a pre-game ceremony, the Winnipeg native was presented with a bouquet of flowers and custom-framed jersey with her No. 11. A message on the scoreboard read: "FROM THE HEART OF WINNIPEG TO THE WORLD STAGE." A video of Scott's highlights and her words of appreciation was then shown. It finished with her saying, "We just wanted to make our people proud." 'The Destroyer' Known as `The Destroyer,' Scott won gold at the 2020 Olympics, after Olympic bronze in 2016 and 2012 — one of only three players, including Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt, to win three straight Olympic medals. The five-foot-three dynamo was appointed to the Order of Manitoba in 2022. The 2012 team was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2019. Scott helped Canada win the CONCACAF championship in 2010, represented Canada at three World Cups (2011, 2015 in Canada, and 2019), and won Pan Am Gold in 2011. Before the match, Canada coach Casey Strong — who missed Saturday's game for personal reasons — dedicated it to Scott's legacy. Canada, ranked No. 7 in the world, responded by dominating the first half on the way to a 4-1 victory over the 51st-ranked Haitians before 9,211 in attendance. Leon scored the first of her two goals in the seventh minute, converting a long cross from forward Janine Sonis. Leon then scored in the ninth minute after taking a nifty pass from Sonis and firing a shot past Haiti goalkeeper Kaina Cesar Pietrus. Canada opened the second half by taking a 3-0 lead. Defender Shelina Zadorsky converted a pass from Sonis in the 50th minute. Haiti then replied in the 52nd minute on a goal by forward Batcheba Louis. Sonis then registered her fourth assist of the match when she sent a cross to Olivia Smith, who headed the ball into the net in the 90th minute. Farewell at home Scott, who was subbed out to more applause in the 55th minute, played her final international match on the same campus where she set records for most career points (56) and assists (31) for the University of Manitoba Bisons. She was named Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2005, a two-time conference all-star and an All-Canadian in 2009. Scott was inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame in 2019. Scott had expected about 200 friends and family to attend the match. Canada will host Haiti in a second friendly in Montreal on June 3.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Desiree Scott wrapping up international career in hometown
Winnipeg Watch Desiree Scott will play her final international soccer game in front of a home crowd in Winnipeg this weekend.
