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Nick Cushing | "We Want To Get Back To Winning Ways." 

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Nick Cushing has stated emphatically his team's desire to get back to winning football games.

The Boys in Blue are unbeaten in their last two outings, recording scoreless draws against New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake.

Those results helped Cushing's side record back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season, and the Head Coach is now keen to see his side convert that momentum into a victory.

"To come away with a point is a positive we still have a huge desire to win and win away," he said. 

"We can't go on losing and drawing those games, but just coming home and having a home game is a huge positive for the team.

"We want to get back to winning ways and we have a huge desire and a huge determination to get back to winning football games."

The role of the Club's supporters was also a key talking point during Thursday's press conference as Cushing highlighted the impact they have in boosting his young side. 

"I think for us, whether we're winning or losing, whether we're playing well or playing poorly, the support is incredibly important," he said. 

"No more so than when you have a young team, when you have a team that's developing, and you're in a rough moment. 

"We want to win football games and we're so used to winning football games at home that. We need that support behind us and we feel the support from those guys that are really cheering us on those fans that are being really positive and standing behind us."

"The spirit of the team is there, that togetherness is there, and there is a real desire to win football games for New York - you can see that across all of those games.

"When we're at Yankee Stadium and we really feel the atmosphere, that's when we're at our best."

Cushing also heralded James Sands form following confirmation he had been selected to represent the U.S. Men's National Team at the Gold Cup.

The former academy player returned to NYCFC following a loan spell in Europe and has performed consistently well as both a midfielder and defender. 

That form has earned him a selection as part of the USMNT roster for the upcoming Gold Cup, which begins later this month. 

"It's not ideal losing James, but I think it's recognition of how well he's playing that he's recognized by the national team, and we support our guys to go," Cushing explained. 

"Maxime Chanot has gone away with his national team [Luxembourg] previously. Mitja Ilenič has gone away with Slovenia. The guys have a huge desire to play for their country. They all do.

"All the teams play through the international breaks. We have to find solutions. I think when we lose a guy to either card accumulation, international duty, or injury, it's a marker of the preparation and the professionalism of the team.

"Kevin O'Toole was a good example of it last year and Stephen Turnbull has been a good example of it this year.

"You have to be patient and you have to wait for your chance, but you have to be ready when that comes and James going will present another opportunity for another guy to step up."

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