Nick Cushing confirmed his side are focused solely on producing a high quality perofrmance.
New York City FC host Nashville on Sunday afternoon knowing a victory could help them take a major step toward securing a place in the top four of the Eastern Conference. The Boys in Blue currently sit two points behind Orlando City SC in the standings but they could leapfrog the Lions with the right set of results this weekend.
Their opponents Nashville are still hopeful of booking a place in the playoffs but would see those hopes dashed if three of the four teams above them were able to pick up a victory.
Asked whether Nashville’s motivations impact how his side will approach the game, Cushing reiterated that his side are focused solely on securing the highest possible finish in the Eastern Conference.
“The whole aim of not having a mental slip up [against Nashville] is to focus on fourth place,” he said.
“Fourth place is everything to us. We could be playing top of the league. We could be playing the team bottom of the league.
“We could be playing someone that's in the playoffs or someone that's not in the playoffs. Our mentality, our focus, has to be on performing, and on getting intensity into the game and doing the things that have helped us win football games lately.
“Because if we continue to win and somebody around us slips up, that fourth place is open for us.”
B.J. Callaghan's side will be eager to cause City problems on Sunday, with Cushing also highlighting Nashville’s change of style under Callaghan along with their underlying quality when previewing Sunday’s clash.
“I think Nashville are a really difficult team to play against,” Cushing said. “I think under their previous coach [they were] direct, and incredible on set plays.
“Hany Mukhtar is very dangerous. Sam Surridge is a top player. They’ve got good players, and you have to see past results because, with the new coach, they now play a little bit more.
“They want to be a team that controls the game through possession, that creates chances through possession, but they still have individuals on the pitch that can kill you in a moment.
“For us, it's about focus. It's about concentrating on why we're good and when we're good, and continuing to be consistent through 95 minutes.”
City made two changes to their starting XI midweek against FC Cincinnati with Tayvon Gray and Keaton Parks taken out of the team.
Asked what the motivation was behind that decision, Cushing explained the need for rest and rotation as City grapples with a busy schedule that sees them play three times in eight days.
“The opportunity to rest Tayvon Gray and Keaton Parks going into a three game week, going into Nashville, was a decision that I made consciously,” he said.
“The guys all want to play. Justin Haak is on four yellow cards, James Sands is on four yellow cards, and Keaton Parks is on four yellow cards.
Andrés Perea has been injured and has not played so much football, so three games in a week is potentially going to be difficult for him.
“I had to make a conscious decision to leave Keaton out, knowing that this game would be the game for him.
“It was difficult because Keaton has been top for us this year. He's been incredible in the buildup. He's really forged a relationship with James, but at this stage of the season, you have to try and find solutions for complex problems.
“I didn't want to lose Justin, James, and Keaton all in one game, and to have Andrés Perea play two games in three days, going into a three-game week.
“It's part of MLS as part of this season, and we came out the other end positively, so it was a good decision.”
