Andrea Pirlo gives NYCFC glimpse of things to come in win over Orlando City (Video)

He played 33 minutes, got 39 touches and did not get on the score sheet, but statistics could not measure the entire impact Andrea Pirlo made in his Major League Soccer debut for New York City FC.

Against Orlando City SC on Sunday, the 36-year-old Italian star came on in the 57th minute and, despite only four days of training, effortlessly did the things that he made him a legend at AC Milan and Juventus. From his holding midfielder spot, Pirlo kept the ball moving in the NYCFC attack, and it was his calming influence that allowed New York City to score three second-half goals to secure a 5-3 victory at Yankee Stadium.

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Pirlo's playmaking will surely make life easier for striker David Villa as well as Frank Lampard when the former Chelsea star finally takes the field. But if Sunday is any indication, the biggest beneficiary of Pirlo's presence could very well be Kwadwo Poku.

Pirlo found Poku twice to initiate the buildup on two NYCFC goals in just a four-minute span. First, Pirlo spun away from his marker at the edge of the center circle in his own half to send Poku on a run that resulted in Villa's second goal and a 3-2 New York City lead in the 67th minute.

Another Pirlo turn in midfield led to another pass to Poku, who used his strength and speed again to collect his second assist – a soft, rolling ball into the path of Thomas McNamara at the far post for a wide-open finish and a 4-2 cushion in the 71st minute.

Poku explained afterward that the chemistry between he and Pirlo was anything but accidental.

"Every time in practice since he arrived, he and David have been telling me to get the ball, get to the ball more because I can do a lot of stuff on the ball," Poku told Fox Sports 1. "In practice every time, he [Pirlo] try to talk to me as much as possible to get on the ball and run at people. It's been a cool experience playing with this guy. I'm really thankful for that."

The appreciation for Pirlo from NYCFC and its supporters figures to only grow.