Video: Andrea Pirlo sets up David Villa to bag first MLS assist

Pirlo makes his mark against DC United

New York City FC midfielder Andrea Pirlo is off the mark in terms of assists in the MLS as the veteran Italian playmaker set up David Villa for his side’s second goal to defeat DC United 3-1 at home.

DC United took the lead in the first half as Alvaro Saborio opened the scoring in the 36^th minute after Chris Rolfe intercepted a back-pass error from Pirlo in midfield and ran down the left flank to set up an unmarked Saborio in the 18-yard-box. Former Spain international David Villa had the chance to draw his side level two minutes later but the striker’s effort was blocked off the line by United defender Bobby Boswell.

New York equalised after the break through McNamara who successfully finished off Poku’s pass. With that goal Hamid’s streak of 400 minutes without conceding a goal came to an end which was the longest in the MLS this season.

Villa put New York in the lead in the 80^th minute after Pirlo’s perfectly timed chipped through ball found the former Barcelona striker between two defenders who made no mistake in poking the ball into the back of the net. Poku finished United off with an 88^th minute individual effort.

Watch the goal here.