Nick Cushing is keen for his side to focus on their own game when they take on Atlanta United this weekend.
New York City FC are back in the World’s Borough on Saturday to take on Atlanta United at Citi Field in what will be the first of five consecutive home games.
The Five Stripes are likely to be without Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis after reports circulating on Thursday claimed the striker has picked up a bone bruise.
Asked about the potential absence of Giakoumakis, Cushing preferred to maintain focus on his players and the job awaiting them this weekend.
“The guys will do the analysis and they'll provide a predicted lineup, but for us, it's about concentrating on how we become a better team and how we put in a winning performance,” he said.
“Whichever Atlanta team arrives here we have to make sure we concentrate on the areas we need to be better in - we know that every game in this league is difficult.”
He later added: “We know that home games give you an advantage. The stats say that home advantage is important in our league, but I also think it is a little bit dangerous to think of it as a five-game home stretch because it's one game really - it's Atlanta. We want to focus on one game and after that, we'll move on to the next game.”
City will enter the contest off the back of a spirited draw against Inter Miami CF last time out.
A first goal for Costa Rican international Alonso Martínez canceled out Luis Suarez’s early header and saw the Boys in Blue depart Florida with their first road point of the campaign.
Asked to reflect on the performance, Cushing confirmed he saw positives from his side at Chase Stadium.
“I would be disappointed if there were huge negatives, and not so many positives whether we win, lose, or draw,” he said.
“It’s another game where we go behind and get a result. It's a game where I think we created the biggest chances in the game.
“We thought they were going to play a three but they played a four based on injuries, so we changed our shape and that got us a foothold in the game.
“There are areas of the performance that are positive, but we have to improve in those areas that are going to give us a chance to win.
“We have to defend the set piece better – I do think it’s a foul – but we have to defend it better and we have to take our chances.
“If we can solidify our results around going to difficult places like Miami and getting a point, I think that's going to give us a good league position.”
The Head Coach also took time to praise Martínez for his hard work on the training pitch after a strong showing last time out.
“I think Alonso is really strong running in behind,” Cushing said.
“He is a strong finisher, he's very clinical. I think you can see that; two chances, one goal. I think he’ll be disappointed he didn’t take that second chance.
“I think it's about consistency. It took us a bit of time to get Alonso to the point where he could start games because he hadn’t played much with his previous team and he arrived half-way through the season.
“He’s trained incredibly well, his attitude, application, and enthusiasm have been excellent, whether he’s been in the squad or not.
“Now that’s the challenge; you work hard to get in the picture, you get in the team, you get a start, and then you get a goal. Now it's about consistency.”
