Nick Cushing believes his side are well up for the challenge awaiting them in Columbus this weekend.
New York City FC travel to Lower.com Field on Saturday looking to score a big victory on the road during their pursuit of a place in the playoffs.
The Crew currently sit third in the Eastern Conference, seven points ahead of City, meaning they could close that gap with a win.
Discussing what the game will provide his side in terms of a test, Cushing confirmed his side are up for the challenge that awaits them in Ohio.
“We know where we're at in the evolution of our team,” he said. “Those difficult moments, going to difficult places, and playing against top teams, is a good marker of where you're at.
“I think both teams want the ball. I think both teams know how to keep the ball, and you've seen it in that game.
“We know we have to be more ruthless in our attacking game to grow into being a top team.
“Our evolution requires us to have more threat and it’s to be more clinical on the road. The chances that you create, especially in these difficult places are going to be less than you do at home so you have to be clinical.
“t's another opportunity this week – like I said against a top team, difficult place, but we're well up for it.”
He later went on to add: “I think you see the answer to all the problems that we're going to face against Columbus is within our football.
“Against a team that is going to pass the ball a lot and is going to try and control possession, there are many pressing opportunities.
“There are many chances, like the goal in Columbus [scored by Alonso Martínez]. We had a lot of counter-attacking opportunities in the game those moments.
“We've seen with the goal in Philadelphia and the goal in Toronto – we can be dangerous on the counterattack.
“There are those opportunities if we're organized, and if we're together, and if we're aggressive, and if we play with intensity.”
Cushing also took time out to praise the work of his opposite number Wilfried Nancy.
The Frenchman guided Columbus to an MLS Cup win last season and celebrated a Leagues Cup success earlier this month.
Now the pair will square off on Saturday, with Cushing acknowledging the clear vision Nancy has bestowed upon his team.
“He has a very clear idea of how he sees the game and how he believes the game should be played,” he said.
“He isn't going to move off that idea. He's going to stick to that idea, and he's going to work tirelessly and incredibly hard to give that idea to his team.
“I think you can see a team that believes in his idea 100%.”
