David Villa is still David Villa. New York City FC’s 2017 campaign doesn’t feel at all like the first two, and for one special reason in particular: the Boys in Blue are finding ways to get it done at the back. And their last man, Sean Johnson, is playing and outsized role.
NYCFC is shucking off its reputation for eminent leakiness before our eyes. They’re allowing at tidy average of 1.1 goals per game. Only Dallas and KC have allowed fever goals overall on the year, while their +7 goal differential is bested only by first-place Toronto.