PURCHASE, N.Y. – It might be a foreign concept for those New York City FC players who hail from outside North America, but the idea of playoffs following the regular season is something that David Villa embraces.
“Right now, after the final of the season, 12 teams have a chance at winning the trophy,” the NYCFC captain said. “This is very exciting for every team, for the country, for the people, for people who love soccer. I like it.”
Villa also believes it is something that could work in Europe, making the end of a long regular season enticing for more than the title chasers or those in a relegation battle.
“I like this format. Europe can copy this format,” Villa said. “Sometimes in Europe, in some leagues like the Spanish league or the Italian league, the last 10 games are very boring for winning the trophy because there’s only two teams. Sometimes one team has the best chance of winning.”
NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira, who had a long and successful career playing at European giants like Arsenal, Inter Milan and Juventus, isn't going to lobby for Europe to add playoffs. But he said there are similarities.
“When you play in the European Cup and you’re into the last 16 or the quarterfinals, it is of course a different type of pressure because you know you lose and you’re out,” Vieira said. “You just have to manage it.”
And that’s what Vieira is planning for his club, which takes on Toronto FC in their first MLS Cup Playoff game Sunday in the opening leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at BMO Field (7 pm ET, FS1).
“Nothing will be different. We’re going to prepare the week the same way," Vieira said. "We’re going to talk about the team the same way we’re talking about all the other teams so far. It will be excitement for the players, for the football club, because it’s new for everyone at the football club, the people working in the office, the players — so we have to enjoy the moment.”
As fun as the playoffs are to play in, they're also fun to watch. So before competing in his first playoff game, Villa has made sure to enjoy the postseason from his couch.
“I watch every game,” Villa said. “Of course, more attention for our conference because one of these teams for sure play against us for Sunday. I watch the other games too because I like soccer.”
