Villa hat-trick seals derby win for New York City
A hat-trick to captain David Villa gave New York City a 3-2 win over 'Hudson River' rival New York Red Bulls.
Spanish star forward David Villa fired New York City to a 3-2 win over Derby rival New York Red Bulls with a classy hat-trick.
The 34 year-old opened the scoring in the 28th-minute, having been the beneficiary of a clumsy, albeit unfortunate Red Bulls turnover. A through-ball thundered off the legs of a city defender and into the path of Villa, who rounded Red Bulls 'keeper Luis Robles to score.
A brace of goals to Bradley Wright-Phillips put the visitors in front just after the hour mark, before Villa produced a dazzling solo run and crisp finish to level the scores.
Moments later, the former Valencia, Barcelona and Melbourne City player was felled in the box by a high foot from Salvatore Zizzo, who saw yellow as the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Villa made no mistake to give his team the win and help consolidate third-place in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, Portland Timbers comprehensively beat LA Galaxy in MLS, while Atlanta United equalised in the 91st minute against Sporting Kansas City.
Liam Ridgewell, Diego Valeri and Alvas Powell all scored as the Timbers saw off the Galaxy 3-1 in Portland on Monday (AEST).
The Timbers made a dream start thanks to Ridgewell's fifth-minute opener – a power header into an empty net – but LA hit back immediately via Emmanuel Boateng.
Valeri restored Portland's lead just past the half-hour mark with a stunning long-range strike and Powell sealed the points when he lashed a shot across Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe.
The Timbers are fifth in the Western Conference – three points adrift of leaders Sporting KC – while LA Galaxy is ninth and nine points outside of the play-off positions.
Sporting KC missed the opportunity to extend its lead atop the conference after being held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Atlanta.
Benny Feilhaber's 59th-minute penalty had Sporting KC on track for back-to-back wins until Jacob Peterson's netted a last-gasp equaliser as the hosts played out their fourth draw in five matches.
