David Villa missed his third consecutive match with NYCFC. (FrontRowSoccer.com Photo)

SAN JOSE, Calif. — New York City FC captain David Villa was a late scratch as he was pulled from the Starting XI only minutes prior to kickoff against the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night.

Villa, who missed the last two weeks with a calf injury, had to sit after injuring himself during the pregame warm-up.

It was not immediately known what type of injury the Spanish international striker had incurred.

“David Villa was feeling good, but after the warmup he was feeling something that couldn’t allow him to be on the field,” NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira said after the 2-1 victory.

Vieira was unsure when Villa would be available to play again.

“It’s too early to talk about it,” he said. “We need a bit more time to go back to New York and do more exams before getting any kind of conclusion.”

Jo Inge Berget took over for Villa at the opening kickoff at Avaya Stadium.

Center back Maxime Chanot wore the captain’s armband for the visitors.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.