It was the world class moment New York City had been waiting for.
When Andrea Pirlo arrived last month, manager Jason Kreis would have been dreaming about the Italian and Spanish striker David Villa linking up to devastating effect.
Frank Lampard would also have been part of the equation yet with the former England midfielder facing more time on the sidelines with a new leg problem – a calf injury has now been followed by a quad injury - it was left to Pirlo and Villa to steal the show.
Playmaker Andrea Pirlo combined with striker David Villa (above) to devastating effect against DC United
Villa scored his 14th goal of the season for New York City on Thursday night
With Eastern Conference leaders DC United holding firm at 1-1, the 36 year-old ex-Juventus playmaker picked up the ball with 10 minutes left and, with typical slide rule precision, picked out Villa who clinically did the rest.
The Italian veteran, who seems to stroll around the park without a hint of urgency before suddenly shifting gears, was careless with a pass which allowed DC United to steal into a first half lead.
Yet his quality and ability to hurt defences in MLS is undoubted.
Kreis was delighted with his two World Cup winners. And why not?
'It was spectacular,' he gushed about Pirlo's pass to Villa for the crucial second of the night.
'They have an understanding which is very special and for me, the pass for the goal was out of this world. They have shown glimpses (of linking up together) and now I hope they can continue it.'
'I needed forgiveness after the pass for their first goal so it was great to see David run onto my pass,' smiled Pirlo.
'I was lucky enough to be born with a skill to pass the ball. I thank my parents! '
It was Villa's 14th of the season and if his side are to reach the end of season play-off's, the former Barcelona man needs to keep producing the goods, something which will become increasingly easier once Pirlo continues to improve and Lampard is finally able to string games together.
'Frank has a little bit of a quad strain,' added Kreis. 'We are hoping though that it will be short term.'
Kwadwo Poku scored two minutes from time to ensure New York City earned all three points
Pirlo showed his class again as the Italian maestro ran the midfield for the Big Apple side
Andrew Jacobson challenges Perry Kitchen for the ball during the MLS clash at the Yankee Stadium
Another plus point for the City boss however with away games in Columbus and LA next up, was the display of 23 year-old Ghanaian Poku, his lively performance capped with a deserved goal at the death to end a run of two defeats on the spin.
This was DC United's first loss in four yet expect them to stay in amongst the leading lights. City, however, cannot be discounted.
That's the priceless commodity the likes of Villa and Pirlo, who was much improved here following a tepid display in the New York derby last weekend, bring. Both have the ability to turn the game in an instant.
With such attacking riches at his disposal, defending hasn't been City's strong suit.
And within three minutes their porous backline was almost breeched. Dealing with long-balls from midfield has characterized the last two defeats and although error prone defender Jefferson Mena was dumped to the bench by Kreis, the problems still remained. Perry Kitchen's through-ball sent Conor Doyle through though he was unable to fully capitalize.
Pirlo, prowling just in front of the back four, was attempting to dictate play with his customary class on the ball. Passes were being sprayed, yet chances were not created.
City were enjoying time on the ball. Nothing though was troubling DC keeper Bill Hamid until the 20th minute when a superb diving stop kept out Villa.
It was the kind of opening the Spaniard loves - a forceful , powerful run into the box. City, however, needed more. So brittle is their core, goals are a must because at the other end, it's proving near impossible to keep clean sheets.
Only three have been kept so far.
And on 35 minutes, that was emphatically proved once more.
Midfielder Frank Lampard missed the game on Thursday night due to a leg muscle injury
The 37-year-old has only featured in two games since becoming eligible to play for the club on July 8
Pirlo's carelessness in the middle of the park set Chris Rolfe free and his cross was tucked home by Alvaro Saborio.
It was a sloppy goal to concede. That's the story of NYCFC's season thus far. Villa was denied on the line moments later although only the lively Poku will know why he didn't go for goal himself.
Yet the Ghanaian was not to be denied. Just moments after forcing the excellent Hamid into a smart stop he rounded the DC United keeper and crossed for the tireless McNamara to equalize with his fifth of the season.
Another healthy Bronx crowd of 28,262 rose in appreciation. No matter that results have been frustratingly inconsistent - the crowds and atmosphere so far this season have undoubtedly proved there is a place for MLS here in the Big Apple.
City had their tails up, Villa firing inches wide on the hour mark before Poku clipped the post from eight yards out. The Eastern Conference leaders began to creak.
Villa, the best player on the pitch by some distance, almost fired home a winner, Pirlo's excellent through ball matched with strike of similar quality which forced Hamid into another confident save.
Yet with 11 minutes left, he was finally beaten by Villa. Pirlo again fed the Spanish striker and this time his finish was unerring and clinical.
Poku's late third capped an emphatic second half display and an ultimately deserved win.
The task for City is to kick on from here.
'This could be a season changer for us, ' concluded a visibly relieved Kreis.
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