New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing knows that his team has a mountain to climb but wants them to trust the process in order to get the results. Currently, City are in danger of falling into last place with a loss to the New England on Saturday, but the coach and team are confident that they can course correct before hitting rock bottom.
“You have to focus on the process,” said Cushing when asked about how to improve striker Mounsef Bakrar. “You have to believe in the process. Mounsef is a far better player than he was when he came here. His fitness levels, his physical output, the numbers that he puts in, the running numbers… Whether it be on the press, whether it be running in behind, the way that he’s built the game in, how intelligent he is in link up play, and coming to the ball and adding extra numbers in the midfield. That is among the reasons why his shots and his goal chances are improving.”
While the chances may be improving, the goal output has stagnated. And it isn’t just Bakrar. Currently NYCFC is tied for last in goals scored in the Eastern Conference. This despite talented players like Santiago Rodriguez, Alonso Martinez and other surrounding Bakrar. The general feeling is that it is just a matter of time before those numbers are more positive for the club. However, we’ve seen teams carry such trends dangerously deep into seasons.
“The only way that he becomes more clinical in front of goal is by continuing to put himself in this situation. Whether it’s confidence, it’s pressure, whatever we want to label it as. He is coming into a lot of goal chances, his expected goals is up there with the top five strikers in the league.”
While all signs may point to positivity in the individual numbers, it is alarming on a team level. City are 1-4-2 in 2024 with just five points. No matter the process, those numbers are not sustainable for a club that has not indicated that their goal isn’t a larger purpose this season. Certainly the money spent on younger players indicates that they are not looking to rebuild but to challenge now for a significant spot in the standings.
Saturday’s game against New England may be the breaking point. A loss that sends them into the cellar of the Eastern Conference may lead to a review of said process or perhaps new leadership to course correct before it’s too late.
photo from Jordan Banks