ORANGEBURG, N.Y. — The play was yet another reminder of David Villa’s brilliance. Just two minutes after halftime, Villa took a pass from midfielder Maxi Moralez and, as he fell forward, managed to backheel the ball between the legs of the Fire’s Bastian Schweinsteiger and into the path of Alex Ring, who blasted past goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland for a 1-0 lead. Villa then scored four minutes later to lead NYCFC to a much-needed win after a very difficult month for the club.



These two moments were significant for NYCFC, who knocked on the door several times in the first half against the Fire last week but couldn’t get a lead. The Bronx side went into the match needing a win to sew up a spot in the playoffs, and Villa, as he has done so many times before, provided the precision, guile, and flamboyance needed to make the difference.



The assist and then the goal showed, once again, that Villa is no ordinary player for NYCFC. He is undoubtedly its...