Nick Cushing believes his side are in a good place as they seek to improve their road form.
New York City FC are back on the road this weekend as they take on the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field on Saturday night. The Boys in Blue suffered a disappointing road defeat in their last outing against Austin FC but were unlucky to leave the game with nothing after a spirited performance.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Cushing revealed that the group are in a good place, but most continue to learn from their setbacks on the road and apply those lessons to the upcoming games.
“I think the [upcoming] games are important because I think everybody in the league sees the League Cup break as a natural marker in the season,” Cushing said. “You then focus on Leagues Cup and then you've got the run in through until the end of the season.
“I think the only way that we have to approach it is to improve the performances from the previous games. The Austin game was vastly improved compared to the Nashville and the LA Galaxy game.
“We dominate the game, we control the game, we showed a real maturity in when to have the ball and when to go out and counterattack. We created many chances, but we just fell on the wrong side of the result, but ultimately, that is the most important thing, the result.
“We have to take the positives out of the performance and we have to improve in the areas where we don't get the result and ultimately that is executing in the final third. We missed chances that we created and we gave two moments that in this league you will be punished for.
“We have to fix that fast. Whether it is understanding whether it is mentality, I think this group is in a good place.
Cushing also took time out to praise the Fire ahead of this weekend’s meeting.
Frank Klopas’ side have found joy at home of late with two wins and a draw in their last three outings. They will be keen to continue that form this weekend, with Cushing acknowledging the challenge the Fire represents.
“I think Chicago Fire are a really well-coached team,” he said.
“I think when you look at what Frank Klopas has done in organizing the team and setting the team up – whether it’s a back four or a back five – they’re vastly improved in my opinion.
“They've improved the squad whether it's Gutiérrez in the ten role or Cuypers in the nine role, they're a difficult team to play against.
“Going on the road in MLS is difficult enough when you’re playing a team that is in form. I watched their game against San Jose Earthquakes and I thought they were unlucky not to get the result they wanted.”
