SUPER VILLA!
REIGNING MVP David Villa continued to excel, scoring twice to up his Major League Soccer career total to 51 goals while leading New York City FC’s comeback win over defending champion Seattle Saturday at a rainy Yankee Stadium.
Trailing 1-0 after a goal by Seattle’s Cristian Roldan, Villa became the fifth fastest player to reach the 50-goal mark (79th appearance) when he scored on a penalty kick after Villa was taken out in the box in the 52nd minute.
Villa completed the rally when he struck home a Jack Harrison cross at the far post in the 77th minute.
“It’s important for me because the goal is my goal always because I’m a striker. And I think that goal gave a lot of points in a good moment for NYCFC,” Villa said. “Now I rest today of course and now I’m looking to score number 52 because that’s the best I could do in the near future. I’m so happy to score so many goals because NYCFC is important.”
The win for NYCFC (8-5-3) came just three days after losing to Hudson River rival Red Bulls in a U.S. Open Cup fourth-round match at Red Bull Arena. NYCFC will return to Red Bull Arena next Saturday for the first of the clubs’ three regular-season matches.
— Staff report