Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo reportedly set to join New York City FC

During his four-year Juventus career, it has been documented that Andrea Pirlo has gone to exactly two Major League Baseball games in the United States. The first was in Philadelphia just a short time before Juventus Stadium opened its doors and the Pirlo beard wasn't even around. The second was on Saturday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

The second one is garnering a whole lot more interest than the first.

In the aftermath of Pirlo sitting and watching the New York Yankees game on Saturday night, the New York Daily News is reporting that Juventus' resident 36-year-old maestro is on his way to the United States and Major League Soccer in a very short amount of time. Here's more:

Andrea Pirlo, the Italian midfielder magician, is on the cusp of signing a contract with New York City Football Club, the Daily News has learned.

Despite just coming off a long club season and this month's UEFA Champions League final with Juventus, Pirlo will be available for NYCFC within a few weeks, a source close to the situation said. He will also earn roughly the same amount as Lampard and Villa, or between $5-6 million, a source said.

Pirlo, 36, will represent the MLS expansion club's third Designated Player, joining David Villa and Frank Lampard to form the most expensive roster in league history.

If this is the end of the run for him at Juventus and in Italy as a whole, then we should just thank Andrea Pirlo for everything he has brought to the squad the last four years. Each year Pirlo has been a Juventus player, there's been a Scudetto presentation at the end of the season.

But, if the Daily News is right, then I guess folks who are New York City FC supporters should get ready to see that completely unbalanced and tactically flawed Pirlo, Frank Lampard and Mix Diskerud midfield this season. And for Juventus, then we prepare for life after Pirlo. Not that Juventus are lacking for quality midfielders at this point — and that's before you even factor in what kind of role Sami Khedira will have next season.