Nick Cushing is eager for his team to attack the game when they take on the Portland Timbers this weekend.
New York City FC are back in the Bronx for their home opener against the Timbers at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. City are eager to pick up their first points of the season after two challenging road games, with Cushing ready for his team to attack the game from the first whistle.
"We're going to be offensive," Cushing said.
"We're at home, we want to be on the front foot, we want to attack the game. We want to entertain our fans. Tactically we'll set up a team to go and attack the game.
"Whether that be with Justin Haak coming in for James Sands because he's out, or we go with another offensive player to be on the front foot. We will definitely go and attack."
The Head Coach also took time to reflect on the team's attacking performance after they went scoreless in their first two games of the season. Discussing the situation further, Cushing confirmed the team are always evaluating how they try to score goals.
"We can see that we're in good positions," Cushing said.
"We're progressing the ball into good moments and we're creating chances, but we have to execute those moments better to give us more chance to win.
"We are always looking at how we attack the game and how we can create chances. It's a huge focus of ours. We look at it every day, whether it be in the coaching room or whether it be on the training pitch.
"I think the real benefit we have with this roster is that we have flexibility. We're consistently talking about how we get the blend and balance right."
Elsewhere, the 39-year-old spoke of his excitement at returning home after two tricky road games.
Cushing has previously discussed how important Yankee Stadium can be, highlighting its special atmosphere and the impact that has on both players and staff.
Now readying himself to return to the Bronx this Saturday, he is eager for what awaits him and his team.
"We're really excited to get back home at Yankee Stadium," Cushing said.
"We knew we were going to have two tough games on the road and we now have seven out of the next nine in New York. For us, a really exciting period starts with Portland at home at Yankee Stadium.
"We know the early parts of the game are going to be really important for us. We want to show our fans that we are on the front foot; we want to get the support behind us.
"We want to experience that real unique atmosphere at Yankee Stadium and that starts with us as a team. That starts with us as football players and coaches and the plan that we have and how we execute that plan so we're playing a form of the game that our fans want to get behind."
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