David Villa was the beating heart of New York City FC. Their first ever signing, their record appearance maker, their record goalscorer. He was the face of the franchise — and was, at one point, at the face of MLS also.
But he has now departed. With that comes arguably the most important offseason in the club’s history (their first offseason might have carried more significance, but this is now an established team going through a process of transition and succession).
And with the offseason well underway and the new season just a month or so from its commencement, New York seem to be preparing for life without a centre-forward.