David Villa came through the first half of Wednesday night’s All Star game versus Real Madrid unscathed ahead of Sunday’s Hudson River Derby.
NYCFC’s top-scorer enjoyed an eye-catching 45 minutes against Zinedine Zidane’s men before he was withdrawn at the break with the score locked at 0-0.
The All Stars went on to lose 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 tie after Dom Dwyer had come up with the late answer to Borja Mayoral’s 60th minute opener.
The reigning MLS MVP Villa got the start for Veljko Paunovic’s XI as part of an attacking trident with Toronto duo Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore in front of 61,428 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.