With most of the focus of the soccer world stuck on the superstars preparing for the World Cup, some of the stars of Major League Soccer turned in performances of note in the penultimate week of play before the World Cup break. 

From World Cup snubs Landon Donovan, Obafemi Martins and Jermain Defoe to emerging stars of the league in Dillon Powers and Pedro Morales, plenty of players impressed on the pitch in Week 13.

Although plenty of quality was shown on the pitch, it was one player who didn't play this weekend that stayed at No. 1, thanks to his overall showing in 2014.

Continue reading on to see where the league's best rank in the MLS Player Power Rankings.

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One member of Spain's World Cup squad has already confirmed a summer transfer, but it's David Villa, not Cesc Fabregas, who has arranged a move away from La Liga.

The forward will sign for Major League Soccer side New York City, becoming their first-ever registered player and beginning his tenure with them from the 2015 season, as per the club's website.

It's a move with many positives for the player, who was lacking in keeping pace with his previous standards during the past season, though it perhaps begs questions of what he'll do for the next seven months or so after the World Cup ends.

Villa still managed to score 13 goals in 36 games for Atleti this season, contributing to their title-winning season in La Liga, but it was clear for some time that he is no longer the force of old. Hardly "finished" as a player, though, he travels to Brazil this summer as a member of the Spain World Cup squad looking to defend their title.

The all-time record scorer for his nation, Villa could easily have slipped down the league a little, perhaps back to Valencia or to the likes of Villarreal (depending on wages, of course—but more on that shortly) if he wanted to continue competing at a high level.

He would have had no shortage of offers and can still make an impact for Spain at the finals in Brazil, even if he is unlikely to play even close to every minute this time around.

A move abroad, though, lets him leave the domestic game at the very top, a title-winner with a second club and—the entire nation will hope—a double World Cup winner, or at least part of the squad who will try to go close to retaining their trophy.

So excited to be the first player in the history of @NYCFC! I'm ready for this new challenge! #VillatoNYCFC pic.twitter.com/q1ygpyKYLv

For the club, this is, of course, part sporting and part big marketing ploy: Villa represents a world-renowned icon of the game, a stellar signing for most clubs and their first one ever to boot. They've started big and will attract more attention—from onlookers and players, no doubt—as a result.

Not only that, but clearly targeting the Spanish-speaking contingent of the anticipated support base, it makes enormous sense for them to bring in a player with that same ability. Not for nothing, they were able to tweet out dual-language welcome messages.

David Villa Firma Por El New York City Football Club: http://t.co/GGhJmrY1Fs

David Villa (@Guaje7Villa) signs for New York City FC. Press release: http://t.co/v0ZtpB7vCq #VillatoNYCFC pic.twitter.com/0qbVHpU1TC

But what of Villa for the first half of 2014-15?

Once the summer tournament is done, he'll move on from Atletico. Will a loan move to a European country ensue, up until the end of January perhaps?

New York City don't debut until the 2015 season, so he'll otherwise be nothing more than an onlooker if he moves over to the States beforehand.

New York City FC preliminary tactics board. #Villa pic.twitter.com/7xqnwnRQB2

Either way, he'll be another face to boost the profile of MLS, a player to get New York City off on the right foot and doubtless a contender for 2015 top scorer in the division. You'll just have to wait a long time to see him there.

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Fanendo Adi created a goal in incredible style as the Portland Timbers took on the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS on Sunday night.

Adi juggled the ball with his back to goal, then laid on a pass for Will Johnson to finish in style.

Unfortunately for the Timbers, it was only a consolation goal: The Whitecaps were up 4-2 at the time, and the late strike from Johnson only served to tighten the scoreline.

[H/T Reddit for the GIF] 

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It was another exciting week of Major League Soccer action in Week 13, highlighted by stunning goals from Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi and Will Johnson, as well as another tally for the league's all-time goal scorer Landon Donovan.

Check out all the action along with plenty of highlights in this week's edition of MLS Winners and Losers.

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If you haven't learned to expect the unexpected in Major League Soccer, you did in Week 13, as a few mystifying results were produced.

The biggest shock came from Montreal, as the Impact took down Eastern Conference leaders New England by a 2-0 scoreline.

Other big names like Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake fell flat, while four teams in rivalry clashes showed us plenty of passion from start to finish.

Continue reading on for a look at the eight biggest takeaways from MLS Week 13. 

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With World Cup preparations overshadowing Week 13 of play in Major League Soccer, some fans were not able to watch a full weekend of terrific performances. 

Three teams won their respective matches by more than two goals in a week that saw players shine in the midfield, and up front, for those sides. 

Five players also scored two goals for their teams this week, but two of those players missed out on the best XI thanks to some stiff competition up front. 

Continue reading on to see which players were good enough on the pitch to make it into the MLS Team of the Week. 

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Jermain Defoe may not be going to the World Cup with England but if he keeps scoring goals like this one Roy Hodgson may well regret that decision.

The Toronto FC man, who moved from Tottenham in February, scored this stunning strike against Columbus Crew with his weaker left foot.

The goal was his second of the match, and the sixth of his first season in MLS. It also leveled the score at two goals apiece and set the stage for a late TFC winner.

[MLS]

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This week's MLS Insider clip takes an up close and revealing look at Philadelphia Union's Maurice Edu.

[MLS Insider] 

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The Major League Soccer weekend caught a ton of attention for the performance of Landon Donovan, but there were plenty of other players who shined throughout Week 12 as well. 

One of those players, Federico Higuain, made a convincing case to become the top candidate to overtake Javier Morales at the top of the latest MLS Player Power Rankings. 

Continue reading to find out who won the battle for the No. 1 spot and where Donovan ended up on the list of the top 20 players in the league.

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This past week was a roller coaster of emotions for Landon Donovan. 

On Thursday, the world found out that Donovan had surprisingly been left off the United States' 2014 World Cup roster. Jonathan Klinsmann, son of United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann, used that snub to send out a controversial tweet:

Three days later, the L.A. Galaxy star scored the 135th and 136th goals of his Major League Soccer career. The 32-year-old's first goal of the match gave him the most in MLS history.

Chicago Fire star Mike Magee—the reigning MLS Most Valuable Player—came up with the perfect response to Donovan's record-setting goal:

Magee clearly won that round.

[Twitter, h/t USA TODAY's FTW]

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