When an opportunity comes around to do an 'all-time greatest' list, there are hundreds of criteria to consider as to why one individual sports moment deserves higher recognition than another.
The results of these types of lists can be determined from simple criteria like scoring the first goal in a franchise’s history to more complicated benchmarks like scoring the match-winning goal in a high-stakes tournament, with millions of people watching.
After Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Eric Hassli scored one of the most memorable goals in recent soccer memory against Seattle Sounders FC, Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi recalls his favourite soccer goal of all time. The highlight comes from former 'Caps player Peter Lorimer during a 'Spring Cup' friendly match against Swedish side Malmo FF on March 28, 1982.
"We were kicking off and Peter Beardsley was lined up with Lorimer and their goalie wasn’t paying attention, as he was standing on the edge of the box," Lenarduzzi said. "Lorimer noticed that the goalkeeper wasn’t paying attention and hinted to Peter to roll the ball forward from the kickoff, so he could get a run at it. Lorimer immediately took a strike and their goalie started to scramble back, but didn’t get there in time. The whistle blew and seconds later, he had scored. We won the match 1-0."
While Lorimer's goal will forever have a special place in Lenarduzzi’s heart, Hassli’s stunning strike has generated plenty of excitement not only in Vancouver, but around the world. "We have actually broken the one million hits mark and what it does is illustrate the global nature of our sport," Lenarduzzi told TEAM Radio. "With a little bit of magic from the big man, the team and the league is getting recognition that it never had."
