New York City FC have their backs against the wall on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field as they look to avoid a two-game sweep and a first round playoff exit against FC Cincinnati. Head coach Nick Cushing knows this is as important of a game as he’s managed thus far and that the third place Cincinnati team is not one to be taken lightly.
“We know exactly what we’ve got to do,” said Cushing with regards to the game plan. “We have to win to give ourselves a chance to advance. There’s areas of the game where we know we can be better. Areas of the game where we were absorbing pressure, being under pressure, but there are some simple things we have to put right.”
One of those things is the goal scoring. Despite having such a dynamic and effective striker in Alonso Martinez, the team has failed to score in two games. Both were away from home, first in Montreal and then in game one of the playoffs against Cincinnati. While they did create chances, the finishing lacked the cutting edge needed to big City the lift that was necessary. The first slip against Montreal cost them the home field advantage and fourth place in the table. The second game on Monday now puts them in a position where they must win in Queens.
NYC has suffered through streaks of poor results throughout the campaign. Their late surge saw them nearly climb to fourth in the Eastern Conference but the question is now whether or not they are in one of their downward slides. Such stretches happened early in the season and in the midsummer.
“We have a game plan that we believe will give us the best chance of winning the football game,” said Cushing. “There are elements of that game that we have to retain because our identity is our identity. The belief in what we do is solid in our dressing room.”
That belief will have to carry them as Cincinnati isn’t the only issue they face on Saturday. Tayvon Gray received a red card in game 1, meaning that the team will be down a key wingback going into an elimination game. While players like Mitja Ilenec have had success recently, the lack of depth could be a problem that Cincinnati looks to exploit.
“I tried to learn a few things from him,” said Ilenic about training with Gray. “I was ready now, training good the whole time that he played. All I can say is that I’ll do my best to help the team and hopefully we get the win.”
City play on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field. Should they win, they will travel back to TQL Stadium the following weekend for the deciding game in the best-of-three first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
photo by Jordan Bank