Andrea Pirlo, David Villa Hooked Up for a Very Expensive MLS Goal
By Mike Cardillo
" .@Pirlo_official —–> @Guaje7Villa. #LegendToLegend #NYCvDC https://t.co/K2V3b4a5bH — Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 14, 2015 "
Andrea Pirlo delivered a long, accurate pass to David Villa late in the second half of NYCFC’s game against DC United. The Spanish striker then latched onto it and rushed through the United defense to put NYCFC ahead 2-1 Thursday night at Yankee Stadium in their eventual 3-1 victory.
The play was exactly how NYC FC ownership drew it up when it signed the two European stars to lucrative Designated Player contracts.
The two World Cup winners are among the highest-paid players in MLS this season. Villa makes roughly $5.6 million, while Pirlo is making $2.3 — for about half a season’s work. I’ll guess that aside from any Los Angeles Galaxy goal involving either Robbie Keane ($4.5 million), Giovani Dos Santos ($4.1 million) or Steven Gerrard ($6.1 million) it’ll be the priciest goal scored in MLS this season.
Then again, if Jozy Altidore ($4.75 million) and Michael Bradley ($6.5 million) combine on a goal for Toronto FC their salaries would be over the $10 million mark, too. Sebastian Giovinco, the front-runner for MLS MVP, makes over $7 million for Toronto.
Earlier in the match Pirlo’s wayward pass was intercepted by Chris Rolfe near midfield and helped set up Alvaro Saborio’s goal.
" .@DCUnited lead 1-0 at half courtesy of this @al_saborio goal. #NYCvDC https://t.co/xOQgFxTxOe — Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 14, 2015 "
That mistake will be an afterthought now.
[Photo via USA Today Sports Images]