Thiago Martins has stressed the need for the team to impose themselves on the road.
The Boys in Blue are coming off the back of two consecutive home wins as they travel north to face Toronto FC on Saturday.
Keen to build on that good form with a first road win of the campaign, the central defender stressed the need for NYCFC to impose themselves on proceedings.
“It's not easy, but we need to impose ourselves away from home,” Martins said.
“We know away from home they press higher, they have the atmosphere, the stadium, the fans, the same as when we play here [in New York].
“We need to be brave and play the same way we play when we play with our fans in our stadium.”
“We know we played very well last week but if you want to be a good team, a top team, we need to play like last week away from home too.
“We need to improve this. We know it’s difficult, but we need to impose ourselves.”
The defender also talked about his growing role in the team and his dedication to helping those around him improve.
Martins was signed from Yokohama F. Marinos last season after a successful spell in the J.League which culminated in a league title success.
Now benefitting from a year to settle in the Five Boroughs, the Brazilian discussed his eagerness to be a leader in the locker room and shoulder the extra responsibility placed upon him.
“It's good for me, I'm here to help everyone,” he said.
“I'm here to help the club and my mentality is that every time I want to win. I think this is the difference. wants me is I think this is the difference.
“I like having this responsibility [to help] because with or without being one of the senior leaders I’m always here to help and improve the young guys or the more experienced players.
“I know I have these opportunities here to help. I have more, more responsibility and I'm here to help everyone.”
Sign-up for MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app - and never miss a moment of the 2023 season. Stream every regular-season, playoff, and Leagues Cup match. Every Screen. No Blackouts.
