Episode 17: Murray Mollard: The Winning Pitch for Canadian Soccer - Part 1

In this episode of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni sits down with Murray Mollard: player, writer, and author of Winning Pitch and special co-host Bob Lenarduzzi, North American Soccer Player of the Year in 1978, for a conversation that spans five decades of Canadian soccer.Murray opens up about his journey from Regina to Vancouver, how a VW van-driving coach with a 1974 World Cup Adidas ball first sparked his love of the game, and what drove him to write the book that Canadian soccer has always deserved, but never had. He shares the stories behind the pages  including Alan Ball's famous halftime ultimatum, the water meter reader from Victoria who scored the goals that got Canada to its first ever World Cup, and why after 36 years this country should never miss a World Cup again.Together, Murray and Bob dig into what it will really take to build a soccer nation with staying power. From the role of MLS academies and the CPL to the investors quietly making it all possible, and why the 2026 World Cup coming to Vancouver could be the moment that changes everything.This podcast was recorded in April 2026.