Nick Cushing believes his side must attempt to repeat their attacking performance from last weekend when they take on D.C. United.
New York City FC recorded an emphatic 2-0 victory against the New England Revolution last time out, thanks to goals from Agustín Ojeda and Julián Fernández.
The result represented a strong showing from City in the final third, and when asked how the team can maintain that against D.C. this weekend Cushing pointed to the importance of creating good chances.
“Offensively we outperformed any previous games that we've produced in the sense of box entries and expected goals,” he said. “I think the story is that we have to keep putting ourselves in the moment and we have to keep creating the opportunities.
“If we do that with the talent we have in this team we will score goals. I'm confident of that. We've set the performance standard offensively and we have to retain that.
“I spoke after New England about progression and having the capability and a wider view of progression - whether it be with the younger players, the team, or our defensive game and offensive game.
“We want the team to be further ahead all the time. If we were second I would want to be first. If we were fourth, I'd want to be third.”
At the other end, City will be looking to contain D.C. United striker Christian Benteke.
The Belgian international is currently the joint-leading goal scorer in MLS this season with six goals and is central to United’s attacking strategy. When asked how to stop a player like Benteke, City's head coach pointed to limiting the striker’s supply line from teammates.
“He has scored goals wherever he's been, whether it be Premier League or MLS,” Cushing said.
“We know that each team in the league has these real pivotal, influential guys, whether they're a number ten, or a number nine. You have to analyze them and find a way to stop them.
“There are many ways you can stop them. Whether it be through high pressing, which keeps the ball away from our goal, stopping crosses when the ball is in wide areas, or marking the player in the box.
“I think whatever strategy you go for you have to try and stop the supply. if you stop the supply then you minimize the amount of moments that guys like Christian Benteke are going to have.
“We're aware of the dangers that he possesses and we have to be focused and concentrate on stopping that supply.”
The head coach also took time out to praise New York City FC II for their memorable U.S. Open Cup win against Hartford Athletic on Wednesday night.
Matt Pilkington's side came back from a 2-1 deficit in extra time to record a 3-2 win on the night thanks to a brace from Taylor Calheira and a game-winning goal from Máximo Carrizo.
New York City FC II will now face the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the next round of the competition, with Cushing full of praise for the players and staff involved.
“I'm really proud of our MLS NEXT Pro team,” Cushing said. “I watched the game last night. I went to the last two Open Cup games and they are performing really well in a lot of different moments.
“They were under pressure last night and they managed to come from a goal down and weather some pressure.
“To go on and win that and to perform the way that they did I'm proud of Matt [Pilkington] and Danny [Cerepo], and all of the New York City FC II staff.”
