The game in 100 words (or less): Seven second-half goals were scored between New York City FC and Orlando City SC on Sunday. Defense is now optional (and strongly discouraged) at Yankee Stadium. Cyle Larin scored his first career hat trick for Orlando City, whileDavid Villa bagged two goals of his own to go along with tallies by Mix Diskerud, Thomas McNamara and Javier Calle for NYCFC. Andrea Pirlo made his Major League Soccer debut, coming on as a 57th-minute sub for Mehdi Ballouchy (isn’t MLS great?). The 36-year-old Italian was heavily involved in the buildup to NYCFC’s fourth goal of the afternoon, but later saw his secondary assist on the play taken away. With the victory, NYCFC have now leapfrogged Sunday’s opponent in the standings and occupy seventh place in the Western Conference. Sixth-place Montreal Impact have three games in hand.
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Three moments that mattered
45′ — Villa’s exquisite first touch sets up the opener — Newsflash: David Villa is really, really, really good. Don’t believe me? I know you do, but watch this beauty of a first touch and placement on the finish anyway.
Another moment of magic from David Villa gives NYCFC the halftime lead over Orlando City. #NYCvORL @HeinekenSoccer http://t.co/Au5W8YnANE
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 26, 2015
67′ — Villa loses Collin and bags his brace — After OCSC hit back not once, but twice, early in the second half, Villa gave NYCFC the lead once again when he lost Aurelien Collin and got a fortuitous deflection. Regardless, the vision and use/creation of space remains world-class from Villa.
David Villa’s second goal gives @NYCFC a 3-2 lead. Pirlo involved in the build-up! #SoccerSunday #NYCvORL http://t.co/7z33y3bPQU — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 26, 2015
85′ — Larin completes his hat trick, in vain — Shoutout to Larin for his first professional hat trick. Also, shoutout to Larin for the stellar finish on his third goal of the day. The first overall draft pick from the 2015 MLS SuperDraft now has nine goals in 15 appearances as a rookie.
Cyle Larin completes his hat trick with a beauty. NYCFC’s lead is down to 4-3! #SoccerSunday #NYCvORL http://t.co/eASCiV39em
— Inside MLS (@InsideMLS) July 26, 2015
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LINEUPS
New York City FC: Saunders, Angelino, Wingert (Mena 14′), Facey, Iraola, Jacobson, McNamara, Poku, Ballouchy (Pirlo 57′), Calle (Diskerud 68′), Villa
Goals: Villa (45′, 67′), Calle (53′), McNamara (71′), Diskerud (90+3′)
Orlando City SC: Hall, St Ledger, Hines, Collin, Ashe, Ceren, Carrasco, Avila (Paterson 74′), Rivas (Ribeiro 83′), Larin, Kaka
Goals: Larin (50, 61′, 85′)
