Vancouver Rise FC emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Ottawa Rapid FC in Desiree Scott’s final home game of the regular season. Latifah Abdu and Jessica De Filippo found the net for Vancouver in the match. Scott, a prominent figure in the Canadian women’s national team and known as “The Destroyer,” will retire at the conclusion of the season after playing for Ottawa in the league’s inaugural season.
In a pre-match ceremony, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe declared October 8 as Desiree Scott Day, with 2,906 fans at TD Place sporting pink headbands in her honor. Expressing her gratitude for the overwhelming support, Scott, aged 38, remarked on the unexpected but heartwarming celebrations by the fans and the club. She acknowledged the privilege of contributing to the league’s establishment, emphasizing her pride in doing so with Ottawa Rapid.
Despite the emotional farewell, Scott’s playing career is not yet over. Ottawa Rapid FC will conclude their regular season with an away game against Halifax Tides FC. The team has secured a playoff spot and is currently tied for second place with Montreal and Vancouver, each boasting 36 points in the standings. All four top teams, including first-place Toronto, have already secured their spots in the playoffs, setting the stage for an exciting postseason.