Desiree Scott Wins Gold at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Aug. 6, 2021) - There will be gold coming to Kansas City courtesy of the Canadian national team and Kansas City’s own Desiree Scott. Canada made history by winning the Gold Medal Match of the 2020 Olympic Games against Sweden in a thrilling penalty kick shootout, 1 (3)-1 (2), the first-ever Olympic final decided in this manner. After winning Bronze in the past two Olympics, Canada made their Olympic Final debut against 2016 Olympic Silver Medal winning Sweden.

Scott made the starting lineup for the fifth time in this tournament and was handed the captain’s armband in the late minutes as Christine Sinclair was substituted out of the game. The end of regulation ended at 1-1, and after two periods of extra time where neither squad could find the winner, the match headed to a penalty kick shootout.

Scott was named to the Starting XI for the fifth time out of six matches played. The veteran midfielder arguably played one of her strongest games for her country as she sought her first Gold Medal. She launched a beautifully driven shot in the 20th minute of action that went just over the top bar, then went back to her defensive roots when she sprinted back in the 80th minute to make a potential game saving stop, making a last-minute slide to prevent Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson from danger. 

Sweden took the first lead of the match in the 34th minute of action. Kosovare Asllani dribbled the right flank and found a slashing Stina Blackstenius who one-timed a shot through the defenders’ legs and into the back of net. Canada found a chance to equalize in the 67th minute. Captain Christine Sinclair was tripped in the penalty box as she received a pass. 

After video review, they were awarded a penalty kick. After converting a penalty kick in the semi-finals to help Canada defeat the United States, Jessie Fleming was once again a hero again for her home country. She converted the penalty to the bottom right corner past Sweden’s goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl and evened the score at 1-1, where it would stay for the next 23 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time. Following 120 minutes of action, the Gold Medal would be decided by penalty kicks.

After Sweden’s first kick bounced off the right post, Fleming nailed her second penalty attempt of the match. Unfortunately, Canada would go on to miss its next three attempts, while Sweden converted on its second and third tries. With both teams missing their fourth attempts, Canada jumped the chance to close out the game. First Deanne Rose scored her attempt to send the teams to the sudden death round, followed by a Labbé save of Sweden’s final shot. Canada’s 20-year-old Julia Grosso then converted the game-winning penalty kick for the 3-2 advantage and clinching Canada’s first Women’s Soccer Gold Medal.

Back in Kansas City, the players from KC NWSL took a break from the team’s morning training session to cheer on their teammate. As the final kick crossed the goal line the player’s erupted in cheers and chants for Desiree ‘The Destroyer’ Scott and her national teammates. 

While the team prepares to take on Racing Louisville this weekend (Sunday, Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. CT). the players and fans alike can look forward to welcoming Gold Medalist Desiree Scott to Legends Field in the near future.

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Aug. 6, 2021) - There will be gold coming to Kansas City courtesy of the Canadian national team and Kansas City’s own Desiree Scott. Canada made history by winning the Gold Medal Match of the 2020 Olympic Games against Sweden in a thrilling penalty kick shootout, 1 (3)-1 (2), the first-ever Olympic final decided in this manner. After winning Bronze in the past two Olympics, Canada made their Olympic Final debut against 2016 Olympic Silver Medal winning Sweden.

Scott made the starting lineup for the fifth time in this tournament and was handed the captain’s armband in the late minutes as Christine Sinclair was substituted out of the game. The end of regulation ended at 1-1, and after two periods of extra time where neither squad could find the winner, the match headed to a penalty kick shootout.

Scott was named to the Starting XI for the fifth time out of six matches played. The veteran midfielder arguably played one of her strongest games for her country as she sought her first Gold Medal. She launched a beautifully driven shot in the 20th minute of action that went just over the top bar, then went back to her defensive roots when she sprinted back in the 80th minute to make a potential game saving stop, making a last-minute slide to prevent Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson from danger. 

Sweden took the first lead of the match in the 34th minute of action. Kosovare Asllani dribbled the right flank and found a slashing Stina Blackstenius who one-timed a shot through the defenders’ legs and into the back of net. Canada found a chance to equalize in the 67th minute. Captain Christine Sinclair was tripped in the penalty box as she received a pass. 

After video review, they were awarded a penalty kick. After converting a penalty kick in the semi-finals to help Canada defeat the United States, Jessie Fleming was once again a hero again for her home country. She converted the penalty to the bottom right corner past Sweden’s goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl and evened the score at 1-1, where it would stay for the next 23 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time. Following 120 minutes of action, the Gold Medal would be decided by penalty kicks.

After Sweden’s first kick bounced off the right post, Fleming nailed her second penalty attempt of the match. Unfortunately, Canada would go on to miss its next three attempts, while Sweden converted on its second and third tries. With both teams missing their fourth attempts, Canada jumped the chance to close out the game. First Deanne Rose scored her attempt to send the teams to the sudden death round, followed by a Labbé save of Sweden’s final shot. Canada’s 20-year-old Julia Grosso then converted the game-winning penalty kick for the 3-2 advantage and clinching Canada’s first Women’s Soccer Gold Medal.

Back in Kansas City, the players from KC NWSL took a break from the team’s morning training session to cheer on their teammate. As the final kick crossed the goal line the player’s erupted in cheers and chants for Desiree ‘The Destroyer’ Scott and her national teammates. 

While the team prepares to take on Racing Louisville this weekend (Sunday, Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. CT). the players and fans alike can look forward to welcoming Gold Medalist Desiree Scott to Legends Field in the near future.