New York City Football Interim Head Coach Nick Cushing has praised the hard work and effort of his players in the wake of the team’s draw with Atlanta United.
The Boys in Blue were on course for a narrow 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium when a strike from Dom Dwyer tied the game at 2-2. Forcing both teams to depart the match with a point each Cushing revealed he was happy with the overall performance, crediting the effort and desire and of his players.
“Performances have been really good,” he said. “I was happy with it. We just didn't get that two-goal cushion. The level in this league is so consistent, but I’m not concerned about not winning in five, but I am disappointed. I want to win and it’s the nature of this team that when we draw, especially here at Yankee Stadium, it has almost the feel of a defeat because we want to win so much.
“This team will win. The attitude has been incredible. The application and the work rate has been top level – I’m happy with that. We’ve just had a lot of football and it catches up again late in those games. We need to get back to making sure that we see games out. We will win again.”
With no midweek game NYCFC will now have six days to prepare for their next opponents, New England Revolution. Bruce Arena’s men travel to Yankee Stadium on Saturday, and Cushing revealed he is looking forward to the extra time that will give his team on the training field.
“I think the opportunity that the team has when we have six days between games is an opportunity to train,” he said. “We need to work, we need to improve in the areas we need to improve in. The way this team trains, the application to training, is exceptional. It gives us the opportunity to get on the training pitch, improve, and go into the New England game Ready.”
