Over the course of the history of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a number of players who have played for the club at one point or another have also represented their country at the FIFA World Cup. As we approach the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, every day we will feature a player of years’ past who made it to soccer’s pinnacle event.
PETER LORIMER
A native of Dundee, Scotland, Peter Lorimer’s career lasted a remarkable 25 years. Nicknamed “Thunderfoot”, he was regarded as having one of the hardest shots in football. The majority of those years came with English club Leeds United, where he had more than 700 appearances and is the club's all-time record scorer with 238 goals. Later in his career he would play in the NASL, first with Toronto Blizzard, then with the Whitecaps.
For club
Lorimer made 80 appearances with the ‘Caps from 1981 to 1983, scoring 23 goals, which is tied for 26th all-time in club history. His 39 assists are fifth all-time, behind only Carl Valentine, Bob Lenarduzzi, Martin Nash, and Jason Jordan.
For country
The Scotsman made 21 international appearances for his country, scoring four goals. One of those goals came at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in a 2-0 win over Zaire. He would also start against Brazil and Yugoslavia.
FUN FACT: The Sportster ranks Lorimer (subjectively) as the 13th hardest shooter of all-time.
