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This article was published 3/5/2017 (1232 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Desiree Scott is in a good place these days.

The two-time Olympic bronze medallist has been a major player on the national women’s soccer team for seven years and the 29-year-old Winnipegger is a full-time professional, splitting her time between FC Kansas City of the National Women’s Soccer League and John Herdman’s national squad. But she wonders about her future in the game and whether she will play for Canada at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

"I thought about it," said Scott, who was in Winnipeg to accept an outstanding young graduate award from the University of Manitoba Tuesday night. "After the (2016) Olympics, it’s another four-year cycle. Am I going to be part of this for another four years, another Olympics?

"Right now, it’s about taking it year by year. If my body holds up, I still want to be part of the national team program. I’m still loving playing professionally. So as long as my body can keep it going and I’m still relevant within my team, I’m going to play."

The pressure to maintain and improve her game while withstanding the challenge of younger players competing for work is part of Scott’s mindset.

In March, the Canadian women fell just short of defending their Algarve Cup title in Portugal, losing 1-0 to Spain in the final. Canada had a young roster at the tournament, with seven players on the roster 19 or younger while another 10 players were 23 and under.

The veteran depth on the squad was provided by Scott, Christine Sinclair, 33, Stephanie Labbe, 30, and 28-year-olds Allysha Chapman and Sophie Schmidt.

"I think we did really well," said Scott. "We grew through the tournament, which was cool, and we had the experience of being there a year prior. We knew the preparation we need to have and the team’s really gelling with the blend of youth and veterans that we have. We’re in a really great space at the moment."

Scott, who turns 30 on July 31, is in her second season with FC Kansas City. During the season, she’ll get regular call-ups to suit up for Canada, including a June 8 friendly against Costa Rica at Investors Group Field.

Staying fit and injury free takes on added importance as she gets older.

"All the little things just are more important," said Scott. "The stretching before and after practice, the ice baths, making sure I get regular massage and physio. All those little things are much more important now. I’m still holding my own but it takes a little bit more work, a little more effort to maintain that."

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In K.C., she is the lone Canadian on the squad but Canadian-born American star Sydney Leroux is a teammate.

"The club is an awesome place to be, (Kansas City) is like a bigger Winnipeg with better barbeque. It’s been a smooth transition and I’m loving it out there. It’s a great environment and a super-competitive league to be in."

The NWSL’s players are full time, which is a big selling feature. In Scott’s two previous seasons with Notts County of the FA Women’s Super League in England, players were not all full-time athletes and had more work commitments away from the pitch.

"Luckily, Canada soccer and U.S. soccer federations have sort of created the league and they’re a huge part of it so when we have national team camps, it’s already in the plan and we get released (to play)," said Scott. "The league and our national teams work really well together, so it’s not an issue.

"For me it’s about being closer to home... It’s easier for me, my family can come visit. I can go back home during a break. It’s easier for the national team calendar, where a release is no issue and usually there’s no conflict there."

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14