Sandy, Utah (Monday, January 15, 2018) — Utah Royals FC have received a commitment for the 2018 season from another international star, Canadian Women’s National Team star MF Desiree “the Destroyer” Scott, General Manager Craig Waibel and Head Coach Laura Harvey announced today. Scott’s arrival to Utah will bring a plethora of experience both on the international stage and at the club level for the team’s inaugural season, as the CONCACAF gold medalist has represented the Great White North for over a decade.
“I am very excited about the new adventure ahead with the Utah Royals,” said Scott, who totals 129 caps for fifth-ranked Canada. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of a club that wants to do amazing things, not only in the NWSL, but for the women’s game. I look forward to getting out there to see what Utah and the soccer community is all about — but more importantly, excited to get to work with my teammates for the 2018 season!”
An owner of bronze medals from the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, Scott moves to Utah from FC Kansas City, for which she started and featured in 14 games in 2017 after missing the first half of the NWSL season due to an ankle injury. The Winnipeg, Canada native received Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) All-Canadian accolades and was listed as a member of the Canada West All-Star teams in 2008 and 2009, and was even voted the 2005 Canada West Rookie of the Year in 2005 while playing for the University of Manitoba.
“Desiree is a proven talent in the league,” Utah Royals FC Head Coach Laura Harvey said, adding Scott to a growing roster that already includes USA stars Becky Sauerbrunn & Kelley O’Hara, Iceland international Gunnhilda Jonsdottir and NWSL veteran Taylor Lytle. “She is the glue to any team she plays for. Her performances last season and throughout her career to this point were excellent, and I’m so excited she will be part of our team this season.”
It was in 2012 at her first Olympic qualifying tournament that this five-foot-two star received the nickname, ‘The Destroyer’ for her ability to claim possession from opponents with a physical presence. Often compared to the playing style of Dutch soccer star, Edgar Davids, Scott plays the roles of a traditional holding midfielders — pushing players off the ball, collecting possession from the backline, and finding open players to push the ball into the attack. Her physical presence on the field makes forwards think twice before taking her on.
Scott played in the 2013 NWSL inaugural season for FC Kansas City, before moving overseas to play two seasons for Notts County in the F.A. Women’s Soccer League (FAWSL). Missing the first half the season to participate in the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Scott returned just in time to play in the 2015 F.A. Women’s Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in London England. After making 20 league appearances for Notts County, Scott was one of 16 players to return to the NWSL from the FAWSL ahead of the 2016 season.
Player: Desiree Scott
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-foot-2
Date of Birth: July 31, 1987
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Previous Club: FC Kansas City
How acquired: Inherited rights from FC Kansas City to league allocation
Season tickets for the 2018 Utah Royals FC season are now on sale via www.RSL.com/NWSL or 844.Real.Tix, ahead of the full 2018 NWSL schedule is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
