Three points.
That was the lone objective for Andrea Pirlo Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
Everything else was secondary, including scoring his first Major League Soccer goal on a brilliant free kick five minutes into the second half, a goal that proved to be the game-winner in a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Union.
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“I am happy to score the first goal,” Pirlo said. “The most important thing though is that the team won the match.”
The victory over the Eastern Conference leaders moved NYCFC up the table into third in the east, two points behind the Union.
And Pirlo played a pivotal role in the victory.
The goal he scored was vintage Pirlo. After a quick conversation with David Villa as they stood over the ball, the Italian legend curled a 20-yard free kick over the Philadelphia wall and inside the right post. Union goalkeeper Andre Blake could only stand and watch it go in as NYCFC took the 3-0 lead.
Pirlo’s goal also marked the first time that all three NYCFC Designated Players – Villa, Frank Lampard and Pirlo – scored in the same match.
“It was a special Saturday and we all scored,” Pirlo said. “I hope in the future we can perform like that again. The goals were great, but once again the most important thing is the overall performance.”
SEE ANDREA PIRLO AND THE REST OF NYCFC AT THE NEW YORK DERBY ON JULY 3
It was also the first time all three were in the starting XI this season, but it wasn’t the first time Pirlo has partnered with Andoni Iraola in the midfield. Filling in for the injured Federico Bravo, Iraola has transitioned well to defensive midfield from fullback, having played there early in his career in Spain.
“I find myself in a great situation because he is very smart technically,” Pirlo said. “We play well and we just have to make sure we continue to improve because that is the most important part.”
