New York City Football Club fell to defeat against Charlotte FC on Saturday.
Here are Five Points from the trip to North Carolina…
Keaton Comeback
One major positive of the trip to North Carolina was the return of Keaton Parks.
The 25-year-old had been sidelined since June, having suffered a blood clot, and was introduced for the final 20 minutes at Bank of America Stadium.
Having the Midfielder back in contention hands the squad a timely tonic at a crucial stage of the season with Cushing speaking highly of his quality both before and after the game.
Parks was pleased to have earned his first minutes since his setback and says the players are looking forward to setting things right at the earliest opportunity.
Battling the Bounce
Once again, the Boys in Blue were left frustrated in the final third, unable to turn their dominance into goals and punished by a more clinical opponent.
Nick Cushing's side created more chances (12-8) and edged the possession stats (52.4%) but could not make their man advantage count, after Christian Fuchs was sent off for an elbow on Tayvon Gray.
Though the team have had little time on the training pitch in recent weeks with the heavy schedule and travel, the players and staff are doing all they can to address the issue with confidence naturally low in the midst of a difficult run, and are confident that a positive result will provide the platform for improvement.
“We go into every game wanting to win, fighting to win,” he said. “We've just had a series of unfortunate results right now, and we really just need that reset, whatever that may be.
“We're looking forward to Wednesday – it's another trophy to fight for and play for, and we're all excited for it. We're going to go out there and do our best.”
Crunch Time
As weeks in a soccer season go, they don't come much bigger than those with a Cup Final and local Derby!
The Boys in Blue are back in action in midweek in the Campeones Cup, entertaining Atlas FC, before locking horns with Red Bulls in the Hudson River Derby on Saturday.
With the prospect of silverware and local pride at stake, the players will need no further motivation to rouse themselves for the upcoming matches, and there would be no sweeter comeback for the squad than to lift a trophy and triumph over our rivals.
Switch of Focus
Wednesday's Cup Final also provides the chance to switch attention from league matters, which can have a positive psychological influence.
The squad can temporarily set aside thoughts of the recent run and playoff pressures to focus on a new challenge, and of course, the feat of lifting a trophy would regain that winning feeling – an achievement that could prove the catalyst for an upturn in fortunes.
“It's an opportunity,” Cushing declared. “Every game is an opportunity now for a reset because we need a result.
“I think you can see that we're maybe lacking a little bit of confidence or maybe lacking that winning feeling – that real winning edge.
“It’s a different competition, a different focus and an opportunity for a trophy against a team that we don't regularly play.
“I will continue to say it: I look at the guys, and I look at the atmosphere, the culture, the training ground… and in the hotel last night, I see guys that are disappointed, and frustrated but really hungry and really driven to change this.
“We're aware of how this league works and we need a moment. We need it to flip and we believe that the moment that it flips, we can go on a run and that we have the quality.”
Roster Boost
Wednesday’s game will also see the return of several key men in Thiago Martins, Nico Acevedo, and Maxime Chanot.
The trio missed the weekend’s clash due to suspension but will be available for the visit of Atlas – welcome news to ease Cushing’s selection headache.
Anton Tinnerholm is also pushing for a comeback from his hamstring setback, though his minutes will have to be managed carefully given his injuries this year.
With big games on the horizon, this is the time for players to step up and show what they can do, staking their claims for the chance to shine.
