New York City FC suffered one of their worst home losses of the season on Wednesday, a 5-1 drubbing to the Philadelphia Union. Given that City are in the midst of rough stretch of games, and that first place Inter Miami are visiting on Saturday, the expectations were that points were necessary against a struggling Union side. That didn’t happen but head coach Nick Cushing doesn’t see this setback as something that will bring his team down.
“It’s about a reaction,” said Cushing in his post-game press conference. “I will keep saying it, and I believe it – tough times make top teams. These moments question the character of the group, question the character of each individual and question the character of myself as a coach. I love this game because it’s a team game. When we lose, the most important part is the character of the group and the character of the individuals and how we react to it.”
That reaction will need to come quick as City have not won a game in the regular season since July 3rd. That is an eight-game stretch that has taken them from nearly pushing rivals New York Red Bulls out of fourth place, to now struggling to keep Orlando City and Charlotte FC at bay. The team currently sits in sixth place with the chances of hosting a playoff game slipping away. The schedule isn’t particularly helpful either with games against Miami, Cincinnati, Nashville and Montreal still to come.
What’s most concerning is that the team has regressed defensively. Over the last eight games, five of them have seen City surrender two or more goals. The reliance on star goalkeeper Matt Freese helped earlier in the year but the season has worn on him and on the team who appear to be making more mental errors in front of goal in recent weeks.
“The spirit of this group is hurting now,” said Cushing. “The only way to pick ourselves up is to react.”
And react they will have to do as Inter Miami themselves will be looking for a rebound. The current Supporters Shield frontrunners gave up the lead against Atlanta United, settling for a draw that could have seen them put the race for the top team in the league out of reach. Lionel Messi did not start the game but played 30 minutes, having only a minimal effect on on the game.
More than likely, Messi will start on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, meaning that City will have to contend with one of the more formidable front lines the league has ever seen with Luis Suarez next to him. City will need to shake off their malaise as quickly as possible, knowing that home playoff hopes rest in the balance.
“I have complete confidence in this group and complete confidence that we can get results,” said Cushing. “I looked around the group and there’s a group that wants to play the next game now because tonight is so difficult.”
photo by Jordan Bank