Toronto - Postmatch

Always interested in reading some Villa praise. Although thought it was kind of weird where he states NYCFC doesn't play with a #10, and does it by committee. Isn't Maxi the 10?

https://www.americansocceranalysis....-things-from-week-22-tfc-galaxy-and-adi-6884n

David Villa, thinking the game


David Villa is smart. We’ve known this for a long time. His time in MLS has been defined by his intelligence arguably more than any of his numerous gifts, and as his athleticism slowly withers with time, that on-field intellect has grown more pronounced.

Villa returned from injury Sunday in Toronto, starting and scoring in NYCFC’s rocky 3-2 win. He was back to doing what he’s always done for the Light Blues. He made good runs, he held up play, he dropped deeper and acted as a creator, and he annoyed center backs with textbook back-shoulder movement.

His most impressive attribute, even beyond his innate sense of goalscoring, is shown when he faces up to goal in the attacking third. In this situation, with NYC throwing numbers forward, he connects what sometimes looks like a jumbled mess. He makes quick passes and senses runners, always thinking one step ahead of the defense.

This pass against Toronto is a great example:


It didn’t look like he originally even wanted the ball here. He appears to motion for Ronald Matarrita to pass backwards. But Matarrita lofts it to Villa, who was trailing the attack, and the Spaniard took one calm touch out of the air and slashed a half-volley pass into the box. It seemed as though he knew what he was going to do the second he saw the ball in the air. His first touch, taken in the direction of the box, indicated as much.

The pass was pinpoint. The degree of difficulty, though, wasn’t exuberantly high. The difficulty of this play comes from knowing exactly where to put the ball so that Maxi Moralez can receive the ball in the easiest possible position given the proximity of the defenders. Villa sees that any pass leading Moralez would be either cut out by Nick Hagglund or too difficult for Moralez to corral. He instead puts the pass just slightly behind Moralez, onto his stronger right foot, to allow Moralez to skillfully turn and hit a shot.

Passes like these are common occurrences with Villa. He combines high-volume goalscoring with creative distributing better than any MLS player:

villa.png

On a team without a true number 10 (NYC do it by committee and it works), Villa has to take some of the connecting and distributive duties, and he’s done it brilliantly. NYCFC get a lot scarier with him back.
 
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So, Jozy was very frustrated with our 6-Train (Callens), and last night he took out those frustrations on the poor Vancouver Whitecaps - hat trick for Altidore in a 5-2 Toronto victory.

And Toronto goes to the CCL, deservedly so.

2019 MLS CCL participants (by order of qualification):
1. SKC
2. TOR
3. HOU/PHI
4. ATL/NYC/NJ
5. 2018 MLS Cup Winner
 
And Toronto goes to the CCL, deservedly so.

2019 MLS CCL participants (by order of qualification):
1. SKC
2. TOR
3. HOU/PHI
4. ATL/NYC/NJ
5. 2018 MLS Cup Winner

You just jinxed number 4. Watch the Portland Timbers make a crazy run now.
 
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