Nick Cushing confirmed the mood among the camp is excellent following Saturday’s Hudson River Derby victory.
New York City FC ran out 5-1 winners against the Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. A brace from Alonso Martínez as well as goals from Maxi Moralez, Andrés Perea, and Tayvon Gray helped City record their biggest-ever derby win as well clinch a spot in the playoffs.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Cushing confirmed the mood of the camp is excellent, with every player desperate to see time on the field.
“The one thing I can say is the mood among the team is excellent,” Cushing revealed.
“The desire and the hunger within the locker room is there. Everybody wants to play. The most difficult part of my job is picking a team.
“Whether we rotate or whether we stay with the same guys, the goal is there, and the guys are hungry to get it.”
Cushing also reflected on Saturday’s victory and why his team were able to walk away with a famous win.
Discussing the finer details of the game against the Red Bulls, City’s coach also commended his players for their ability to not only attack well but also defend well in the face of a tense derby atmosphere.
“I think the difference in this game and maybe others before it were that we were really clinical in the box,” he said.
“We also defended well in our box. I think in a game of this magnitude, where the emotion is high, and the result is important, it's going to be the most critical part.
“In all of the games lately, there have been real positives, and there have been areas we need to improve.
“I think this one was complete in the sense of both boxes, but the bit in the middle, whether it's first and second balls or whether it was moments to play, we got the balance really right in terms of executing result.”
Cushing and his players have little time to celebrate, however, as they are back in action on Wednesday for the visit of FC Cincinnati (tickets are still available).
The game against Cincy will be the second of three games in seven days for City, with Cushing expressing his admiration for Pat Noonan and the job he has done.
“I think this is two teams with huge ambition,” he said.
“I've got huge respect for the job that Pat Noonan has done at Cincinnati. You look at how he's almost reinvented that team, from their league position before he took over to being Supporters’ Shield holders and in the top three fighting for the Supporters’ Shield again.
“Whether you believe they can get it or not, his team has huge ambition, and we do as well.”
