New York City FC garnered their first win of the MLS season but it wasn’t easy as they came from behind to beat Toronto FC 2-1 at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night. For head coach Nick Cushing it was a culmination of weeks of hard work that finally paid off.
“The victory is really important for the team,” said Cushing after the game. “They have a huge desire to win, it’s payback for the hard work. I don’t mean just exercise or running. I mean the hard work of looking why we didn’t retain the three points last week, accepting it and taking honest and respectful feedback.”
Last week in their home opener, NYCFC dropped two late goals on their way to their third consecutive loss, guaranteeing their worst start in club history. Matters looked dire in the 7th minute against Toronto when Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty put the opponents ahead in just the seventh minute. Santiago Rodriguez and Kevin O’Toole made sure that City not only came back but took all three points against a team that had yet to lose in 2024.
“I understand that results are everything,” said Cushing. “Results are the most important, and results are what I should be judged on. I understand that and I will accept that. But I think if we can get consistent results, I think we will believe we are further on in the process than we really are.”
Cushing understands that there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done with a club that is still trying to find an identity following the 2021 championship season. While pressure is building for results, and could determine whether he remains as head coach, Cushing has not shied away from criticism, which is why such a victory is vital to the morale of the team.
That momentum will be essential as City go on the road for two straight games. The first, next week against 2023 Supporters Shield winners FC Cincinnati. After that they travel to Fort Lauderdale to play Inter Miami.