NEW YORK – The three points were critical for a team that is trying to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.

But how New York City FC got those three points in a gritty 2-0 win over Toronto FC Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium was perhaps even more important.

Led by goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who made seven saves, NYCFC defended valiantly against a staunch attack featuring the devastating trio of Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley.

That included Andrew Jacobson in the center of midfield and the back four of Chris Wingert, Jason Hernandez, Shay Facey and RJ Allen, who helped NYCFC record a clean sheet for the first time since a win by the same scoreline against TFC at BMO Field on June 20.

“I think that’s the biggest thing tonight apart from the three points,” NYCFC coach Jason Kreis said. “Those were critical, but to get a shutout was really important for us against a team that is very good in the attacking half of the field by the way.”

Up front, Patrick Mullins, starting in place of an injured David Villa, put in a blue-collar shift and was rewarded with a goal of that variety in the 77th minute to double NYCFC’s lead.

In traffic at the edge of the six, Mullins latched onto a perfect Andrea Pirlo corner kick and headed past TFC goalkeeper Chris Konopka for his sixth goal of the season.

“The ball was on the money and as a forward you want to put yourself in good positions,” Mullins said. “Once you’re there I thought I had good strength, good acceleration in the air and the final product of the finish that’s what made it into a great goal.”

And then there was the play of NYCFC’s biggest names. Pirlo was influential in the middle of the field in what Kreis called the Italian’s best performance since arriving from Juventus in July.

“I think Andrea is a natural born competitor and doesn’t take to losing too well,” Kreis said. “I think he’s been in many situations like this before where it requires a massive effort. I think in the last two games he’s worked extremely hard and played quite well.”

Pirlo, though, deflected the personal praise and put it back on the entire team.

“I think we had a very good result. I like to talk about the team. We played well together,” he said through a translator. “It was a good result for the team. I don’t like to talk about individuals. I think it went very well for the entire team. We were more compact, we played a good offense, a good defense.”

And then there was Frank Lampard, whose delayed arrival from Manchester City and injuries limited his availability this season, including the last two months since his arrival.

The legendary English midfielder scored the all-important first goal of the match in the 20th minute. His bouncing shot that snuck inside the far post from the top of the 18-yard box wasn’t the cleanest strike, but Lampard’s ear-to-ear grin afterward told the story of the weight of the world coming off his shoulders.

“It’s been frustrating for me. No one is more frustrated when you’re not playing than the player himself,” Lampard said. “I want to give back, show the people what I can do. It’s a goal. I’ll get fitter, I’ll get better and there will be more goals I hope. I’m confident of that. Personally for me it was nice.”