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Nick Cushing | "We Have To Stay Focused." 

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Nick Cushing believes his side must stay focused on the plan as they travel to Atlanta United on Wednesday. 

The Boys in Blue head to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on the back of three consecutive draws against New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, and Columbus Crew.

Cushing will now take his side to Georgia hoping to add a win to that run of form. NYCFC have not yet been able to secure a road win in 2023, but the 38-year-old believes a commitment to their identity can deliver that success.

"I think the one thing I'm proud of is those guys come in every day and that they're working beyond their age," Cushing said on Tuesday afternoon.

"They're working beyond their experience because they know that there are younger guys underneath them and for us, it's about just making sure that we we just manage the mood of the of the guys.

"There's no nobody's not working. It's just making sure that everybody stays focused on the plan, focused on moving forwards, focused on the journey because there are many positives and we have to keep moving forwards."

Cushing also touched on his side's preparations heading into the clash. Atlanta have at least several confirmed absences heading into tomorrow's game, but the NYCFC Head Coach preferred to focus on what his side could bring to the contest.

"I think for us, it's about understanding our team principles, the concepts of how we want to play and win - we always focus on ourselves," he explained.

"Of course, we look at the opposition's threats and their strengths and weaknesses and it's more difficult when some guys are on international duty.

"We have an excellent performance analysis department that will go away and try and predict the opposition lineup and try to predict the difference in how that team might play without the key guys.

"For us, it's about continuing to improve ourselves. We have real core beliefs around how we defend the game and how we attack the game and that doesn't change."

Elsewhere, Cushing challenged his side to make the most of attacking transition opportunities in the wake of their tie with Columbus Crew.

Pointing to the team's win against FC Dallas earlier in the season, Cushing highlighted the win as an example of his team at their best and encouraged them to repeat that quality this week.

"There were moments in the Columbus game where we won the ball and we didn't play forwards quickly or we won the ball, we play forwards, and we don't take advantage of the overload," he explained.

"It comes from the fact there's a new team. We've got guys in there now that are building that chemistry and of course, I totally agree we have to be better in those moments.

"That's been a really strong area of our game over the last three seasons - especially at Yankee Stadium.

"You look at the Santiago Rodríguez goal against Dallas - the first goal - this is where we're really aggressive. We turn the ball over and we go straight to goal and we need more of those moments."

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