CHEMISTRY IS KEY
Villa, Moralez have NYCFC believing, playing like contenders for first time
It is a small body of work to be sure, but David Villa says this is the best New York City FC team yet. The results say he is right, and his burgeoning chemistry with new midfielder Maxi Moralez is a big reason why. “I think so,’’ Villa said as he prepared with his team to face expansion Atlanta on Sunday. “But it’s not [for me] to say. It’s working on the pitch, and we have to show everybody that we are the better team at the end of the year.” Asked in what way this NYCFC team is better than its two predecessors, Villa replied, “In everything. To be more competitive, to be a better team, to win more games away, to win more games at home. Everything.”
For the first time since joining the league, NYCFC actually is looking like a legitimate contender, and that with minimal contributions from aging and injured midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who is nursing a sore knee.
NYCFC was just 10-17-7 with a minus-9 goal differential in their 2015 debut campaign that got coach Jason Kreis fired. They improved to 15-9-10 last year under Patrick Vieira with a plus-5. Now, they head to Atlanta at 6-4-2 with a plus-9 differential just 12 games into this season.
“I have a really good group of players to work with and a really good atmosphere,” Vieira said. “This is an exciting job and I love it.
“There is really good spirit around the team at the moment.”
They had just seven points at this stage in their debut season and 17 last year. After rolling to a 3-0 laugher last Sunday at Orlando, they have 20 points as they head to Atlanta — which they beat, 3-1, on May 7 at Yankee Stadium.
Moralez has been a key, finally giving Villa the midfield service he needs with Frank Lampard retired and Pirlo yet to notch a goal or assist this year. Moralez has taken on much of the playmaking burden with five assists (tied for fifth in MLS) while Villa has eight goals (third) and four assists.
“[Moralez] is a great player, a talented player, and for me it’s easy to play close to him,” Villa said. “I know perfectly that I need to give moments for him when he has the ball, because he sees you.”
Moralez saw Villa in Orlando, playing a perfectly lofted ball over the defense for his second tally of the game. Moralez’s three assists to Villa are tied for a league high, while Villa sits atop MLS’ Audi Player Index, which tracks a player’s all-around performance.
“There’s a good connection between the two of them. They understand and smell the game the same way,’’ Vieira said. “I think the last goal we scored against Orlando was a good sign of them understanding the game the same way.”
NYCFC’s Yangel Herrera captained Venezuela to first place in Group B of the U-20 World Cup, with a 3-0 record, 10 goals scored and none allowed.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday for NYCFC’s June 14 U.S. Open Cup match at Red Bull Arena.