Head coach Nick Cushing praised winger Alonso Martinez’s transition into a striker as the 25 year-old Costa Rican netted the game winner against Charlotte FC on Saturday night. This comes after another frustrating performance from starter Mounsef Bakrar who has yet to score in 2024 despite making nine starts.
“The one thing I will say about Alonso Martinez is that he’s really clinical,” said Cushing after the game. “If he gets a chance he will take it. Tonight I felt like it was a little bit of the same old story. We were getting the chances, we were getting the looks, but we weren’t really taking them. With 10 minutes to go I think I called upon Alonso, and it’s not about Jovan (Mijatovic) or Alonso or Mounsef. I put four subs on and I felt the game would really suit the profile of Alonso.”
Martinez has scored two goals in five appearances with only two of those being starts. At this point, he has proven to be a super-sub for Cushing who has yet to find consistency from the 9 position thus far in 2024. While Bakrar’s struggles have been noted, even with fans attempting to boost his spirits with a planned standing ovation, it may be time to give a player like Martinez the chance as a starter.
From City’s perspective it’s all about winning games and the win over Charlotte made it three in a row. All of this in spite of the offensive woes the team has maintained. The chances have been there, possession has been solid and the defense has kept the club competitive. Now, should they figure out the final clinical touch, the team could be ready to soar up the table.
“I like to react from a higher perspective than emotion,” said Cushing. “I like to review and reflect based on watching it back. If you’re asking me right now I think we need to create more. Today we had a lot of play. Our expected goals were about 1.4-1.5. I want it to be over two. I think the amount of box entries we will have had, we should have created more.”
NYCFC are not among the elite yet in MLS but are fast approaching the point where everyone needs to take notice. Just two weeks ago they were flirting with the bottom of the table. Now they are on a three-game winning streak and unbeaten in their last five. Such a surge can’t be ignored, and Cushing’s trust in the “process” is beginning to produce an exciting product for fans.
photo by Jordan Banks