<h3 style="text-align: justify"><strong><em>David Villa scored twice to help ensure new team-mate Andrea Pirlo launched his Major League Soccer career in style with New York City FC's 5-3 victory over Orlando.</em></strong></h3> Pirlo, a 36-year-old World Cup-winning midfielder who enjoyed star turns at AC Milan -- where he won two Champions League titles and for the past four seasons at Juventus where he won four Serie A crowns -- was the center of attention in the match at Yankee Stadium between the two MLS expansion clubs. <p style="text-align: justify">Chants of "We want Pirlo!" were answered in the 57th minute, when the Italian entered the game to a standing ovation from the crowd of 32,041.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">He spoke briefly to former Milan team-mate and now Orlando star Kaka then settled in quickly, his deft touch enchanting fans who cheered his every touch of the ball.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"It was very emotional when I got on the pitch," Pirlo said. "Despite the heat, it felt great. Since we won, ita s even better."</p> . <p style="text-align: justify">Pirlo's skill and poise immediately affected his new team-mates.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"Special, special player, obviously, a guy who sees passes that most of us don't, who can really open up the game," New York city coach Jason Kreis said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"From what I saw right away is our team opening up and really using every ounce of space out there because they felt like he could find them."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Added Spanish forward Villa, NYCFC's top scorer and captain: "His half-an-hour was fantastic."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But it was Villa who was the main difference-maker.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Villa's first strike gave the hosts a 1-0 lead on the stroke of halftime, controlling a ball from Angelino with one touch, turning and blasting a right-footed shot past Orlando keeper Tally Hall.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">His second goal in the 67th minute saw NYCFC edge ahead 3-2, Villa's strike from the top of the penalty area taking a deflection past Hall.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Thomas McNamara made it 4-2 just four minutes later after Pirlo threaded a ball to Kwado Poku, who found McNamara.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Orlando forward Cyle Larin's hat trick -- with goals in the 50th, 61st and 85th minutes -- kept the tension high but ultimately wasn't enough.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Javier Calle also scored for New York City, in the 53rd minute, and after Kaka hit the post with a free kick in injury time Mix Diskerud tacked on one more for the home side to complete the triumph.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Only one thing was lacking to make New York fans' satisfaction complete.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Former England international Frank Lampard again saw his debut delayed because of a nagging calf injury, which will also keep the 37-year-old midfielder out of next week's MLS All-Star game against Tottenham in Denver.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p>