NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Head coach Patrick Vieira, NYCFC, during the New York City FC Vs Chicago Fire MLS regular season match at Yankee Stadium on April 10, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Last night’s 1-1 draw against Toronto FC meant a lot for New York City F.C. as the club claimed the number one spot in Eastern Conference earning a point. It wasn’t only the match result that was eye popping, it was Patrick Vieira’s line-up shuffle and what it meant.

With a mid-week clash in Toronto and the Hudson Derby nearing, everyone was wondering how Vieira would utilize his squad. Many thought he would make the maximum three changes to his usual set-up, but Vieira’s curveball showed seven changes to the starting line-up.

No David Villa, Thomas McNamara, Andrea Pirlo and Ronald Matarrita. You had to wonder what Vieira was thinking, especially when his club is battling for first place. He opted to use Mehdi Ballouchy, Patrick Mullins, Mix Diskerud, Kwadwo Poku, Diego Martinez, Steven Mendoza, and Ethan White.

This shuffle that Vieira did was proof that his squad has depth, something every club needs. You could argue that Vieira was maybe concentrating on Saturday’s match against the New York Red Bulls way too much, but in the end, his shuffle worked.

The smart move on his part was not changing Frédéric Brillant, Jason Hernandez, Federico Bravo and the big man Josh Saunders. Those four were the most experienced on the field last night and they proved it, especially Saunders who came up clutch.

While the squad could’ve played a little better in possession, their overall performance was actual surprising and enjoying. When that line-up card was exposed 15 minutes prior to the match, some had already predicted the loss for NYCFC.

Vieira also proved that his philosophy is working with not only his starters, but his full squad and that speaks volumes. Towards the end of the match, Villa was brought on and that seemed to maybe psych out the defense.

The rotation that Vieira used last night was perfect timing as it was a win-win situation for him. He got the point that lifted his squad to first place and got to rest his starters for the first Hudson Derby of the 2016 campaign.

I’m sure he knows how much that match means.