New York City FC are ready to embrace the challenge of facing FC Cincinnati, according to Nick Cushing.
Cushing's side take on FC Cincinnati on Monday in Round One, Game 1 of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. The first of a best-of-three series, Monday’s clash represents the fourth meeting between the two sides in 2024.
Speaking to the media on Saturday ahead of the trip to Ohio, Head Coach Nick Cushing confirmed the group's excitement and willingness to embrace the challenge of facing FC Cincinnati.
“We’re really excited, but Cincinnati are a difficult opponent," he said. "They are a team that we've played three times already and found the games tough in moments, but played really well in moments.
“The last game at Red Bull Arena we won. So we know it's going to be difficult, but this is the exciting part of the season, and we're going to embrace this. Road games in general in MLS are more difficult than playing at home. The stats would back that up.
“Cincinnati is a difficult place to go. They’ve had a real successful period – both last season and even this year they’ve been consistent enough to finish in third place. I think it's going to be an incredible atmosphere and I think one that we're really going to embrace.”
City battled through a competitive Eastern Conference to secure a spot in the postseason. That success saw them draw third-placed Cincinnati, a team that clinched the Supporters’ Shield in 2023.
The Boys in Blue suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat when they traveled to TQL Stadium during the regular season but went close to claiming a win there in Leagues Cup before a late flurry of goals for the hosts saw Cincinnati run out 4-2 winners. Determined to claim victory at the third time of asking, Cushing noted his team’s focus is solely on Monday’s game.
“This is a playoff game,” he said. “It's win and you're in, lose and you're out - over three games. For us, it's about playing winning football now.
“We’ll focus on this initial away game. The team is in a really good place. Apart from Malachi Jones, I have a full lineup to select.
“I think for us as a coaching staff, as a support staff, it's about navigating our way through how we want to approach all three games. Whoever we pick will be really up for the game.”
Cushing also highlighted the team’s experience in Leagues Cup this summer as a positive they can take with them into Monday’s game.
City recorded big road wins against Tigres and New England Revolution in the knockout stages before falling to Columbus Crew on penalties – with Cushing challenging his players to produce their best football at TQL Stadium on Monday.
“I think playoff football is very similar to Leagues Cup football,” he explained.
“We communicated a lot to the group around how Leagues Cup - especially the knockout rounds - were a really good opportunity to experience win and you’re through, lose and you’re out.
“So to get through those Leagues Cup games against New England and Tigres and then play the Columbus game and understand why maybe we didn't win in regulation time – we’ve been through that.
“You have to go into this game with a mindset to play your best football. You've got to embrace the pressure. You've got to be ready to absorb the moment and make sure that you capitalize on the moments when the game swings for you.”
