David Villa celebrates Jonathan Lewis’ goal. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
BRONX — At the pace he is going, David Villa can tie the Major League Soccer record for the most goals in a season.
That is jointly held by three players — Bradley Wright-Phillips, Roy Lassiter and Chris Wondolowski.
The New York City FC striker and captain has tallied 19 goals in 24 games. Extrapolated over the course of the regular season — City has nine matches remaining, the ageless Villa would be at 27.
Not too shabby.
“I’m happy so far, I saw this week a statistic of the possibility to break the record this season,” Villa said after NYCFC’s 2-1 win over the New England Revolution. “I hope, because these goals give a lot of points to the team. But my focus now is rest this night and focus on scoring the 20th, not thinking about the 27th or 28th.
“I’m thinking about the 20th and after that the 21st. I try my best to score the most goals possible because I know that if I score a lot of goals NYCFC gets a lot of points.”
Villa, who has scored 11 goals in his past 10 matches, connected for his 19th goal of the season against New England.
He also reached Goal No. 60 with NYCFC, in less than three full seasons in MLS.