OMNISPORT

NYCFC entered its debut MLS season with the hope of bringing in enough star power to win over New York soccer fans and make the Red Bulls irrelevant in a major market. With the talent NYCFC acquired, the club surely won the marketing race against its city rival. On the field, the Red Bulls have proven they're the team to beat in the Big Apple.

Maybe signing of a bunch of players past their primes wasn't such a good idea for NYCFC after all. But it all depends on whether the club cares more about selling jerseys or winning soccer games.

With big-name Europeans Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and Frank Lampard starting alongside each other for the first time, NYCFC looked like a force heading into Red Bull Arena on Sunday night — but only on paper. Once the whistle blew, it was easy to see why Red Bulls fans heckled the opposing side with "City Retirement Home" signs as their team cruised to its third straight win over NYCFC with a 2-0 victory.

It will surely take time for NYCFC's newest stars to adjust to the North American league and they've only been together for a few weeks since the arrival of Pirlo. But age is clearly going to be a factor for NYCFC, with the club's three best players in their mid-30s and not getting any younger.

Pirlo was the biggest flop of the New York derby. The 36-year-old did not look like a player who recently led Juventus to the Serie A title and Champions League final, carelessly giving the ball away in the midfield and botching a corner kick. Fitness is clearly an issue for the Italian playmaker, but time is running out on the season.

NYCFC is currently sitting outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture in eighth place. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls, who are led by Bradley Wright-Phillips (30), Sacha Kljestan (29) and Dax McCarty (28), are sitting pretty in second.

Steven Gerrard, LA Galaxy

Last game: LA Galaxy 3-1 Seattle Sounders

Key stats: 90 minutes, 3 shots, completed 64 of 73 passes

Notes: Gerrard had a quiet afternoon in his fourth game since joining the Galaxy from Liverpool, but the 35-year-old made international headlines when he sent a message to his former club before the game.

Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC

Last game: Toronto FC 1-2 Sporting KC

Key stats: 90 minutes, 1 assist, 4 chances created

Notes: Giovinco assisted Michael Bradley's goal, but Sporting KC would respond with two unanswered goals. The Italian now ranks first in MLS with a combined total of 27 goals and assists after notching a midweek hat trick against Orlando City.

Obafemi Martins, Seattle Sounders

Last game: LA Galaxy 3-1 Seattle Sounders

Key stats: Did not play

Notes: The Sounders now have gone 0-8-1 since Martins went down with a groin injury.

Didier Drogba, Montreal Impact

Last game: Montreal Impact 1-1 NY Red Bulls

Key stats: Did not play

Notes: Drogba signed with the Impact last month and plans on taking his time to get fit before making his debut.