Vieira: Pirlo absence a coach’s decision

The Italy legend was not in the 18 for New York City FC's 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

Andrea Pirlo's omission from New York City FC’s lineup against the Philadelphia Union was strictly a coach’s decision, NYCFC boss Patrick Vieira told reporters after his side’s 2-0 loss Saturday.

Vieira fielded a completely different midfield for the contest, dropping Mix Diskerud, Thomas McNamara and Pirlo and instead going with Federico Bravo, Kwadwo Poku and Mikey Lopez. While Diskerud and McNamara were on the bench for the match and entered as substitutes, Pirlo was left out of the 18-man squad entirely.

Although that would naturally bring up questions of injury, Vieira said it was…