This is why he is here.
This is why David Villa was lured away from his native Spain, where he already was a star, to play with the fledgling New York City Football Club of Major League Soccer. This is why he is paid nearly $6 million per year.
For games like this: Sunday’s win-or-they’re-out match against Toronto FC in the second leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal at Yankee Stadium.
Toronto’s 2-0 win at home last Sunday has put NYCFC in a massive hole, leaving its second season of existence on the brink.
And, the very reason Villa is one of three finalists for the league’s MVP award this season is the reason he is the one player who can save his club’s season.