Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo bag their first Major League Soccer goals for New York City
European midfield legends break their goal ducks in the United States in game against Philadelphia Union
and showed perfect timing by bagging their first goals in Major League Soccer - just as the Euros are gagging for similar inspiration.
The New York City legends, both 37, gave Philadelphia Union the oldie one-two in a 3-2 win.
Former Chelsea and England star Lampard took just eight minutes of his first MLS start to pounce on a rebound and net left-footed.
Ex-Spain and Barcelona striker David Villa extended his Golden Boot lead by doubling New York's advantage with his 11th goal of the season.
Then former Milan, Juventus and Italy playmaker Pirlo curled home a free-kick four minutes after the break.
Roland Alberg's penalty closed the gap before New York's Jason Hernandez saw red for his second booking.
That transformed the contest but Brian Carroll's scoring header was Philadelphia's only reward for their late pressure as NYC held on.
It was Pirlo whose passing panache did most to end England's hopes at Euro 2012, even though Italy's quarter-final victory against Roy Hodgson's outclassed side only came on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
But Lampard notched 29 goals in his 106 internationals, compared to Pirlo's 13 in 116.
Both veterans have gradually adjusted to the MLS.
And today's scoring double act from midfield is exactly what the Euros have lacked, although Lampard's old club West Ham have supplied the most impressive performer in France's Dimitri Payet.
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