Braian Cufré and Mitja Ilenič say they are settling well into life at New York City Football Club.
The pair both made their debuts in last weekend’s opening-day clash against Nashville SC with Cufré starting the game, and Ilenič introduced from the bench.
Though the trip to Tennessee did not yield a winning start for the Boys in Blue, both new recruits said their first impressions of the Club have been positive, inspired by the high quality, team camaraderie and environment.
With the defensive duo having moved to the United States from Spain and Slovenia respectively, each say they are excited by the challenge of adapting to a new country, new Club and new league.
“I'm very thankful to be here, in this new league,” Cufré stated. “Obviously, it's a league that impressed me very much.
“It's a very strong, physical league, but I'm very content to be here in this new Club, and give it my all.
“It was a really great atmosphere [in Nashville]. It’s something that I'm that I'm used to over in Spain, so very beautiful, but it wasn't the result that we were looking for.
“Obviously, we were not able to get the result that we that we wanted, which is why we're working hard this week to achieve better things against Chicago.”
Ilenič echoed: “Life in America, it’s exciting. It’s a very big difference from Slovenia, so I’m still learning about a few things. So far, so good.
“To be honest, the difference is huge from my ex-team and ex-country, but preseason has been good. I was doing a lot on my stamina, a lot of my gym stuff and a lot of my tactics, so I'm still learning.
“It's a huge process for me, but I'm trying to do the best in every training, and this is why I'm here.
“If you're asking about my debut, it was amazing, a new experience. When you're a kid, you dream about playing in front of such a crowd, and it was amazing.
“It was not a good result – we lost – but we are looking forward to the next game, doing better and trying to get three points.
“If this will happen [that I get into the starting XI], this is huge thing for me. I'm looking forward to my first start for this amazing Club. I will do my best and this is what I can guarantee.”
The pair added they are gelling nicely with the rest of the squad, as the Boys in Blue continue to build chemistry both on and off the pitch.
Cufré says he shares a close friendship with fellow Argentine Matías Pellegrini, while Ilenič has befriended fellow right-back Tayvon Gray, hoping to develop his trade by learning from the New York native.
“Obviously, there's a little bit more camaraderie with Matí just because we're Argentinian,” Cufré explained, “but I get along with everybody pretty well.
“We have a really good group here, everyone seems together and is together, so I get along with everyone here. We have a really good group here in New York City.”
On Gray, Ilenič continued: “My job here for now is to learn. He has been really good, so I'm trying to learn from him and from other guys.
“My relationship with him is very good. We are supporting each other, and I think this is the most important thing for the team.”
City look to kickstart the new season with a positive result against Chicago Fire this weekend.
Cufré anticipates a difficult test against the Illinois outfit, but insists the squad will be ready to return to winning ways.
“From the looks of it, Chicago looks like a very tough team,” he noted.
“We've been watching tape all week – they play directly, have very good individual players, so we expect a handful from them, but we're preparing for them just as much as they're preparing for us.
“We're there to do our job and hopefully, come back with three points.”
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