It hasn’t taken long for David Villa to show just how vital, and lethal, he will be for New York City this season. The former Barcelona and Spain striker simply oozed quality at Yankees Stadium on Sunday night, scoring one and making another as Jason Kreis’ side gave a healthy crowd of over 43,000 a bucketful of reasons to keep coming back.
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Both defences may have been all at sea yet it was Villa who was able to take the chances which came his way as the New England Revolution, last year’s MLS Cup final runners-up, were beaten 2-0.
US international Mix Diskerud was blown away by the 33 year-old’s Spaniard’s display. “Of course it is massive for us to have someone like David Villa in the side. He is making runs and creating space all the time. It is awesome to have someone like to look at when you have the ball in midfield,” he told Sport 360°.
“But I think everyone knows it’s a team game. There were guys who came off the bench who made a massive impact and the fans too played their part. We need all the people involved functioning together but it is always good to have our key players performing as well.”
Much was made in the build-up to NYCFC’s first ever ‘home’ game (they will be sharing with the Yankees for at least the next three years) about the state of the temporary surface in the Bronx. It looked far from ideal. Diskerud, though, insisted there were no problems.
“The grass was green. It’s winter here right now so the Groundsman have done a brilliant job and I am sure it’s going to get better and better as the weeks go on. We were all very pleased. There were no problems there,” he added. “We are happy with the way the team is coming together. It is totally new but we are sure we will get right to the top.”
.@Guaje7Villa has gone 51 games for club and country without losing when he scores (44 wins and 7 draws). #Winner pic.twitter.com/L7JcmjxZld
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) March 16, 2015
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Etihad chief executive Ferran Soriano were both in the Big Apple to witness history and chatted with delighted Diskerud afterwards.
“It is like being part of a family,” said the Norwegian born American. “Being involved with Manchester City is amazing and to have the guys from Manchester here watching us is great. They are there for us if there are any issues and it’s a really great thing to be involved with at the moment.”
