New York City FC David Villa and Josh Saunders were both honored by Major League Soccer for their great play for Week 18.
Both Villa and Saunders were named to the MLS Team of the Week, as well as Saunders also being nominated for MLS Save of the Week.
David Villa. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports
David scored two goals and Saunders had eight saves as the Club beat the Montreal Impact 2-1 on Saturday night at Stade Saputo.
Villa’s goal in the 35th minute gave New York City FC a 1-0 lead and his free kick goal in the 82nd proved to be the match winner. Saunders was superb all evening, setting a new season high in stops.
Laurent Ciman tried clearing the ball from deep in Impact territory, but it was intercepted by Kwadwo Poku. Poku fed the ball to Tommy McNamara who drove toward the box and dished the ball to Patrick Mullins. Mullins, who was at the top of the 18 with his back toward goal, continued the move to the far side, sliding the ball to Villa. Villa beat Ambroise Oyongo toward the byline and fired a low shot at the far post that hit the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage.
Villa doubled his tally on the evening with a picturesque free kick from 22 yards, curling the ball past the wall and into the low corner past a diving Evan Bush.
Josh Saunders. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports
Saunders eight saves in New York City FC’s 2-1 victory was a season high. The keeper was at his best in the 88th minute denying Donny Toia of a spectacular attempt from distance to preserve the win. The Impact defender unleashed a rocket of a shot from outside the box that was directed to the top corner, but Saunders dove high and to his right to parry the ball away.
Saunders, who ranks second in MLS with 64 saves this season, has also been nominated for MLS Save of the Week in: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 7, Week 9 and Week 10.
Villa is fifth in MLS with eight goals, while Saunders is No. 2 with 63 saves.
New York City FC will next be in action on Sunday, July 12 when they take on Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium. The action between NYCFC and Toronto FC is scheduled for 3:00 pm, with the match airing on ESPN.
To vote for Josh Saunders for 2015 MLS Save of the Week for Week 18 fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/07/vote-now-2015-mls-save-week-week-18
For more information on New York City FC fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
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