Sep 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York City FC head coach Patrick Vieira in the MLS game against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

With only two games left to play in the 2016 campaign, NYCFC manager Patrick Vieira faces a dilemma involving his star striker and the Golden Boot. Will the Gaffer take the risk or play it safe?

When your squad has already clinched a play-off berth, especially for the first time in it’s history, there should be no problems. For Patrick Vieira and his New York City F.C. star studded squad, he might stuck in a dilemma triangle involving the club captain David Villa and the Golden Boot award.

The Golden Boot is pretty self explanatory, it’s given to the player with the most goals during the season and Villa is sitting right at the top with Bradley Wright-Phillips with 21 goals. Now what’s the problem at hand here?

Does Vieira take the risk and play Villa in the final two games so he can attempt to grab the award or sit him out for the playoffs coming up?

For Villa, you best believe he’s aching to grab the award as he’s never achieved such a feat on a domestic club level. Back in 2008, Villa was awarded the Golden Boot with his international club, Spain, with four goals.

As for Wright-Phillips, the 31-year old was awarded the honor back in 2014 with 27 goals and just like Villa, his club is fighting for the coveted MLS Supporters Shield trophy and is in a deadlock tie at first place of the Eastern Conference with 51 points.

For Vieira, you best believe he’s already thinking about the play-offs and how he can rest his starters. Does he play Villa 45 or the full 90 minutes?

We see the scenarios all the time, for example the New England Patriots of the NFL in 2007. When they were sitting at 15-0, many were contemplating whether to go with their starters or go with their back up players.

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In the MLS and with the passionate NYCFC fans, Vieira will double think to try and take it easy. If he opts to put in Villa, then hopefully the 34-year old grabs what he finally deserves for his club–the Golden Boot.