Desiree Scott brings professional women’s soccer to Winnipeg

Canada's Desiree Scott (11) celebrates Shelina Zadorsky's (4) goal against Haiti during second half soccer action in Winnipeg, Saturday, May 31, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Winnipeg is set to join the Northern Super League (NSL) next year, marking the league’s first expansion franchise.

The professional women’s soccer league made the announcement on Tuesday, saying the expansion will transition the league from a six-team single table to a seven-team structure.

The Winnipeg club was co-founded by Desiree Scott, former Canadian women’s national team player and Olympic gold medallist, and Rob Gale, a former Canada Soccer youth national team coach who recently served as head coach of the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Scott will serve as vice president of community and player experience, while Gale serves as chief sporting officer.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Scott said the team will give young athletes a chance to dream big and develop their careers in Winnipeg.

“Bringing a professional team to Winnipeg, as I mentioned, has been a lifelong dream of mine,” she said.

“It’s honestly surreal to stand here today and finally bring this opportunity to the city that deserves it. We finally have a pathway from grassroots soccer all the way to the professional game.”

The team’s name, crest and home venue have yet to be announced. The club is expected to make its debut in 2027.

“The truth is we should’ve done this years ago,” Gale said.

“It’s well beyond time for Winnipeg to have a professional women’s sports team.”

NSL – Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league -- was launched in 2025 with founding clubs in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

• With files from The Canadian Press