NYCFC go for a club record fifth MLS win in a row on Wednesday night.
Vancouver Whitecaps stand in their way but Head Coach Patrick Vieira is more concerned with his team’s performance than any potential milestones.
The Frenchman has warned that the hosts’ 4-0 defeat to Chicago Fire last time out will give them an extra motivation to set things right and has called upon his players to demonstrate the same focus which has taken them to four consecutive victories.
Vieira told NYCFC.com: “Vancouver is going to be the last game before we have our small break and of course we want to finish with a win. We know that it’s going to be really difficult because we’ll face a team that didn’t perform well in the last game they played and they will want to bounce back, so we are expecting a really tough, difficult game in Vancouver.
“Before thinking about trying to win the game we need to perform, to play with the right attitude – we need to have the same concentration and focus we’ve had in the last few games and that will allow us to have a chance to win the game. It’s not going to be easy at all and we have to be ready mentally because it’s going to be hard for us.”
There will be five NYCFC players definitely missing for this final game before the Gold Cup break.
Ronald Matarrita and Khiry Shelton are out with injury, while Miguel Camargo, Sean Johnson and Rodney Wallace have already joined up with their international squads.
That will mean opportunities for players to get a look and Vieira is urging them to take it at BC Place on Wednesday night.
“I think we have players around who are here who have been working really well and I don’t worry at all that they will not fit well in the team,” Vieira added.
“They have been working really hard and that is good because it will give them a chance to show how good they are. It’s important for them to take their opportunities and some of them will have it against Vancouver.”
