Nick Cushing has hailed the performances of Luis Barraza and the Club’s goalkeeping department.
The Club acquired fellow shot-stopper Matt Freese in the off-season via a trade with the Philadelphia Union to compete alongside Barraza and Cody Mizell for the number-one spot.
Ultimately, Barraza started the campaign between the sticks and has maintained that position following a string of good performances that have not gone unnoticed by his manager.
“I think we wanted to give Luis the opportunity to play,” Cushing said.
“We knew we were going to recruit a goalkeeper in the offseason. When we decided that we wanted to give Luis a shot we decided to bring Matt Freese in as direct competition for him.
“He has worked so hard and we know he's been developed here so we know his capabilities and his skill set.
“The one thing that is out there is his mentality and his ability to sustain performance and deal with setbacks. I've been really pleased with him.
“I think he's shown real growth over the first period of the season. All we can ask him to do is to continue to work hard and he's doing that again today and on the training pitch.
“He's become a leader in the dressing room. He's very vocal and he has a real desire to continue to improve.
“Although it's only early, and he still has Matt Freese really pushing him, I've been really pleased with the goalkeeping department.”
Cushing also said his side must be prepared for away games in the right way.
Toronto FC welcome the Boys in Blue to BMO Field this weekend with the Canadian outfit keen to climb closer toward the playoff positions.
On the other side of that equation, NYCFC are keen to record a first road victory of the season, with Cushing stressing the need for the right mentality and the awareness they will be put under pressure.
“We have to be good and have a good mentality and a good approach with the ball,” Cushing said.
“We also have to accept that we're going to be put under pressure at times. We need to show the ability to soak up the pressure and we have to get points on the road if we want to be a team that improves on last year.
“The team is really hungry for that to start [this weekend]. We’re please with getting draws at tough places like New England, but we have to start getting three points on the road if we want to compete at the top of the league.”
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