Global stars making an impression in first MLS season

League’s newest attractions have mostly been hits with their efforts on the pitch

The New York City Football Club secured a few notable imports — Lampard! Villa! Pirlo! — for its inaugural season in Major League Soccer. But how do they compare with the other big names — Toronto FC’s own Sebastian Giovinco excluded — who have moved across the pond? We take a look at those who are swimming and sinking.

DIDIER DROGBA

Chelsea to Montreal Impact

Frank Lampard’s old teammate signed in late July, but didn’t play for another month. The 37-year-old, a three-time World Cup performer for the Ivory Coast, then missed a date against TFC at BMO Field with a toe injury. But he earned player-of-theweek honours with three goals against the Chicago Fire in his first start and gives Impact fans reason for hope.

KAKA

Milan to Orlando City

The other expansion team in the East benefits from the Brazilian’s consistency.

He has played more minutes than any of the other big-name arrivals, starting all 25 of the MLS matches he has been available for this season. His nine goals are a tidy sum for a midfielder, while his playmaking and presence have helped 20-year-old Brampton native Cyle Larin score an impressive 11goals with five games to go.

FRANK LAMPARD

Manchester City to New York City FC

Talk of the longtime Chelsea midfielder joining the expansion club surfaced more than a year ago, but he didn’t suit up until early August because of a loan to Man City and injuries, and the tug of war was a distraction. Lampard has no goals and just six shots in 233 minutes spanning four losses.

ANDREA PIRLO

Juventus to New York City FC

Pirlo debuted to a standing ovation at Yankee Stadium in late July and is now a mainstay in New York’s midfield, playing a full 90 minutes in five of eight games.

The midfielder helps the club play more of a passing game, generating better service to another high-profile invader — David Villa. The excitement surrounding Pirlo’s arrival was more tepid than for Lampard, but the Italian is proving his worth.

STEVEN GERRARD

Liverpool to Los Angeles Galaxy

The former Liverpool captain took a break after leaving his boyhood club at the end of the last English Premier League season, but since his debut with the Galaxy in July we’ve seen glimpses of what makes Gerrard tick, including a goal and three assists.

His partnership with former England teammate Robbie Keane has proven fruitful and with Gerrard doing what he does best — pulling the strings in midfield — the Galaxy have gone undefeated in six of eight games.

DAVID VILLA

Atletico Madrid to New York City FC

The statistics speak for themselves: 15 of the expansion team’s 39 goals, seven assists, 121 shots — a teamleading 57 of them on net.

New York’s first player, signed in 2014, has lived up to expectations and then some. Villa is a bright light in what has so far been a tough inaugural year.