Desiree Scott brings pro women’s soccer to Winnipeg with NSL expansion club

WINNIPEG — Growing up as a young soccer player in Winnipeg, Desiree Scott had no choice but to look beyond Manitoba’s border for her dream of one day playing professionally.

Over a decorated international career that included 188 caps for Canada and an Olympic gold medal, she found herself constantly explaining her roots to outsiders.

“Often, in my career, I had to defend where I came from,” Scott said. “People didn’t know where I lived — ‘Winnipeg, where is that?’”

On Tuesday, Scott was in her hometown to set the record straight. The Northern Super League announced that Winnipeg has been officially awarded the women’s professional soccer league’s seventh franchise, with preparations now underway for the 2027 season.

“The athletes that have been missed, who didn’t have this opportunity, now eyes will be on this league, on this team, and there’s an opportunity now for everyone to have the chance to go pro or play for the national team,” Scott added. “That’s what this league is all about.”

Scott is a co-founder and will serve as the club’s vice president of community and player experience. Despite rumours, she confirmed she won’t be coming out of retirement a third time and is strictly focused on the success of the players and team.

“Never could have imagined it,” Scott said, reflecting on her transition to the front office. “A lot of people think about my career — did you think of think of dreaming playing for Canada? I never would have known the journey that soccer and this sport would take me on, and to be here to announce a women’s pro team, it’s something I’ve dreamed about alongside all my family and friends.”

The other co-founder is Rob Gale, whose official title is chief sporting officer. For Gale — whose extensive resume includes helping launch Valour FC in Winnipeg as part of the Canadian Premier League — the chance to build the first women’s professional team in the province is a dream he knows well.

“To do it with Valour, I thought that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and now it’s a twice-in-a-lifetime to build a club from scratch,” said Gale. “What an absolute privilege. How do I say no that that opportunity?”

League president Christina Litz, who is also from Winnipeg, said the league’s strategy on expansion focused on adding a team more central or west to gain a bigger national footprint. Winnipeg is the first expansion team for the league and will begin just two years after the inaugural NSL season in 2025.

“From the very beginning, Winnipeg showed its desire to have a team here,” Litz said. “Growing up and living here, there was no question in my mind that this city is a sports city, but it was missing a key part of sports, which is women’s pro sports.“

The team’s official name, crest, colours and field location will be revealed in the coming weeks and months.

A big reason expansion has happened so quickly is owing to the league’s recent boost in cash flow, including a significant $30 million investment from APEX, an athlete-backed sports private equity firm based in Europe. Litz confirmed the league is hoping to add an eighth team by 2028.

The Winnipeg club will be owned mostly by the league, though it will be run by an independent management team led by Gale and Scott. A local minority ownership group holds a 30 per cent stake.

“Part of the uses of that capital is allowing us to launch this team,“ Litz said.

The ultimate vision for the team is community integration. Both Scott and Gale view the franchise as an essential avenue for local talent, much of which they say is untapped, as well as a cultural hub for Winnipeg’s diverse communities.

“This is a team for Manitobans, by Manitobans,” Scott said. “We want the community to be involved and really have a. Hand in supporting this.”

Season ticket deposits opened for pre-sale on Tuesday and will be open to the general public on Friday at 11 a.m. ET, at winnipeg.nsl.ca.

“We want the game day experience to be unique,” Gale said. “Soccer is the most participated sport, the most supported sport in Canada. Women have been playing catch-up for years, and now this is their stage and chance to shine.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2026.

Jeff Hamilton, The Canadian Press