Dutch great Johan Cruyff, 68, passed away today after a battle with lung cancer. The three-time Balon d’Or winner played a total of 11 years at his hometown club, Ajax, scoring over 150 goals in more than 200 appearances.
While many remember Cruyff in an Ajax uniform or Barcelona kit, where he played in La Liga for five years, Cruyff spent a stint of his long career right here at RFK Stadium in 1980-1981.
The Dutchman began his NASL career with the Los Angeles Aztecs in 1979, but moved to Washington to play for the Washington Diplomats the following season, where he scored 12 goals in 30 appearances. Despite his short tenure in Washington, Cruyff made the most of his experience with the Dips.
He played in a talent-rich NASL at a time where players like Pele and Franz Beckenbauer represented the New York Cosmos.
The attacking midfielder would then go on to return to Ajax to manage the club from 1985-88 before holding the same job at Barcelona, where he managed from 1988-96.
Whether fans will remember him in his orange Netherlands jersey or a white and red Washington Diplomats jersey, the soccer world has lost a true legend of the game.
