Earlier today, the world lost a soccer legend.
Dutch soccer great Johan Cruyff has passed away after battle with lung cancer, his website confirmed today. Many consider Cruyff to be one of the greatest footballers of all time.
And Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi is one of them.
He would know.
Lenarduzzi played against Cruyff and his Los Angeles Aztecs on Vancouver’s memorable run to the 1979 NASL Soccer Bowl championship. In the first leg of the conference semifinal, LA came back to defeat the ‘Caps 3-2 at the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium – thanks in part to a wonder goal by Cruyff in the penalty shootout (which, at the time, allowed players to dribble into the box).