New York City FC regained the top spot in the Eastern Conference, and David Villa scored his second brace in two weeks in a 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday.
After a subdued first half on both ends, Villa opened the scoring in impressive fashion in the 52nd minute. He received a pass following a short corner, took a long touch towards goal, and scored from a very narrow angle, nutmegging Houston goalkeeper Joe Willis in the process.
Following that, the Dynamo started to work their way into the game, and Raul Rodriguez just barely missed equalizing in the 73rd minute, as his shot bounced off the post.
But Villa iced the victory for the visitors in stoppage time, unleashing a rocket in the 91st minute for his second goal of the night.
Box Score
- 52' – NYC – David Villa (Andrea Pirlo, Jack Harrison)
- 91' – NYC – David Villa (Tony Taylor, Federico Bravo)
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Three Things
- VILLA COMIN': For the second week in a row, Villa scored two goals in a Friday night NYCFC victory. Not only is he further adding to his MLS MVP case, but he's now taken the MLS Golden Boot lead, with 21 goals for the season. The rest of the weekend's games could impact that top ranking, but for at least one night, the Spaniard is pacing the pack on the scoring chart.
- HANGING TOUGH, BUT NO RESULT: Despite sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference, the Dynamo have been stingy this year. That's especially the case at home, and Villa's opener was just the second time this year Houston conceded first at home. One imagines that's not any consolation, but the Dynamo seem to be a few fortunate bounces and a couple players away from turning some of the tough results in their favor.
- DREAMING FOR THE SHIELD? FC Dallas remain ahead in the Supporters' Shield race, as they have for much of the season, but ahead of the rest of the Week 30 games, NYCFC sit just two points behind Dallas. Houston's Texas rivals are still the favorites to take the Shield, but with a result or two in their favor and continued winning, New York City have a shot of taking their first piece of major silverware.
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