East-leading NYCFC beat LA Galaxy with David Villa's early goal
David Villa scored an early goal and New York City FC held off the LA Galaxy to win 1-0 at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
LA keeper Clement Diop got a piece of Ronald Matarrita's shot, but it still fell for Villa to score from close range in the sixth minute.
Villa nearly added a second goal in the first half but Diop stretched to deny him with a good save.
NYCFC keeper Josh Saunders was called into action before halftime to push away Nigel de Jong's bicycle kick.
The Galaxy saw their nine-game unbeaten streak end as they could not find an equalizer in the second half as Robbie Keane's 71st-minute header was off target and Jelle van Damme's shot flashed past the post on 82 minutes.
The game was the first in MLS between former England teammates Frank Lampard of Eastern Conference-leading NYCFC and LA's Steven Gerrard, who both joined the league last season.
