New York City Football Club Head Coach Nick Cushing says midfielder James Sands has returned to New York City Football Club a better player.
The midfielder made a welcome return to the Boys in Blue this week, putting pen to paper on a new contract, having spent a loan spell at Rangers FC, where he lifted the Scottish Cup and competed in both the Champions League and Europa League.
Cushing expressed his delight to have the Club’s first Homegrown player back in City Blue, and believes the experience he gained while in Scotland has taken him to the next level.
“Everybody is really, really pleased to have James back,” the Head Coach stated. “Me personally, I'm incredibly happy and excited to have James.
“We’re trying to embed an identity, and to have a guy that has been developed within our system – that is Homegrown, that has been part of the successful years previously – that has also gone away, and been in an environment where it's only going to benefit him, playing in Europa League finals, playing in Champions League games: Ajax, Liverpool… We've got a guy, who not only is a really, really good football player, but now has a new and incredibly improved mentality through being in that environment.
“So, everyone's really happy. He's trained really well today, and one thing I can say is: he's really, really hungry to continue to be successful with New York City.”
Cushing also shared an update on Tayvon Gray, who sustained a slight abdominal injury in the opening day trip to Nashville SC, confirming the setback was not serious.
“Tayvon is still working,” the Head Coach explained. “We're not ruling him out 100%.
“It’s going to be hard for him, it's going to be difficult for him. He obviously pulled up in the game, and he's had this abdominal complaint.
“It's nothing that we're incredibly worried about. We know that our medical team will work with him.
“He's aware of picking up these small things. One thing I can say about Tayvon is: he’s incredibly determined and focused to make sure that he doesn't miss [games].
“He missed the Philadelphia game last year through injury. He's incredibly focused and he's working really hard in making sure that this doesn't become a regular occurrence.
“We as a medical team, as a performance team have to make sure that we do our part, and we make sure that we give him every chance of being available for as many training sessions, and as many games as possible. He's a young player, so he needs to play.”
Matchday Two sees the Boys in Blue travel to Chicago Fire, who are yet to feature in 2023, having served a bye on opening weekend.
While only time will tell whether City’s earlier start will prove to be an advantage, Cushing hopes the lessons learned from Saturday’s season opener will be reflected at Soldier Field.
“I don't know if it's an advantage over them because they haven't played,” he admitted. “I don't know what their preseason as a whole has been like.
“I’ve seen some games but I think for us, it's definitely a positive because we've had a chance to play, we've played in front of a big atmosphere, we've played a home opener away.
“Now going into this game, we've had a chance to reflect on the game. We've been in the video room, we've looked at where we feel we can be so much better, but also where there were some really good positives in the game, and the players are really hungry to go out and play again.”
Cushing also warned of the threat of new Chicago recruit Kei Kamara – an MLS veteran and familiar opponent for the Boys in Blue.
“In our league, we come up against these guys regularly – really physical number nines that can attack crosses, that like direct balls, that if they get balls in the box, there are chances they can score.
“He’s consistently scored in our league so if he’s given space and given time, he’s going to be dangerous. We have to make sure that we defensively are organized, and we don’t allow crosses in the box.
“[Kacper] Przybyłko is the same. If we allow balls in the box and we allow those guys to play their strengths, we’re going to have a really difficult game. We saw that in Nashville with [Teal] Bunbury and direct balls, and those guys are going to really feed off them.
“He’s a really good addition for Chicago and one that we have to be really conscious of, and concentrate on to make sure he doesn’t have a really good game.”
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