Birk Risa is determined to help his new teammates secure a playoff spot this season.
The Norwegian defender arrived in the Five Boroughs from Molde FK last month after a successful period in his homeland that saw him win the league with and also lift the Norwegian Cup.
Now a member of the NYCFC first team, he made his debut for the Club on Sunday against Minnesota United. Impressing with his distribution and reading of the game, he will hope to bring those same skills to the fore against FC Cincinnati this weekend, with the defender well aware of how important three points is to the team.
"Everybody knows what we're playing for," Risa said of chasing a playoff spot.
"Everybody wants to go to the playoffs and we're going to push for it as much as we can. Like you said, there is nine games and six points [between us and the other teams].
"If you do the mathematics on that, if we get a good performance in Cincinnati and get the self confidence then we can turn it around. It's not like we've been playing super bad. It's more like we control the games, we get our opportunities, but we need to clean up behind so that we don't concede those two goals [like against Minnesota].
"It's the small details. I've played a lot of soccer games in my life now and the quality that is in this group and in this Club, it's very good. I get challenged every day, so if we get those small details right, I think we can go on a very good run."
The defender also gave an insight into his character and what he hopes to bring to NYCFC following his move from Molde.
"I like to play soccer that's on the ground," he said.
"I like to play out from the back, and how we want to play here in New York suits me well. I am a winner. Like I said in my interview here, I love to win. I hope to bring a lot to the club, so I'm looking forward to start doing that.
"I would say I'm a leader. I like to open my mouth on the pitch and try to help other guys as well to get their full performance out. But outside of the pitch I'm a calm guy that takes responsibility."
He went on to add: "Yeah, I would say it's in my identity; taking responsibility and trying to be a leader. When I can be myself is when I can open my mouth and don't have to hide behind something.
"I try to push everybody and I think this is a Club that allows you to push in the same direction. So yeah, it's a good choice [to come here]."
The 25-year-old is also adjusting to life in his new home, even if he admitted he hasn't had much time to explore his new surroundings just yet.
"It's been part of my life moving around," he said.
"Like you said, I was in Germany first. I had a great time there but I love coming over here to the U.S., and my family loves it. Meeting people that want to speak with you and are open to having a conversation - it's not that usual to do that in Norway - so yeah, I love it.
"Also living in the city where I'm at, it's amazing. I've not used too much energy exploring it yet, but for sure my wife has been going around and seeing some places and she's happy so I'm happy [laughs].
"It's everything I like. I like the culture. I like the people so far. So I'm really happy being here."
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