Up next in 10
NYCFC head coach Nick Cushing talks the team's shootout playoff win to move on, the status of Thiago Martins and Maxi Morales and more.
Click to subscribe!
Check out our other channels!
#streampunksoccer #StreamPunkEntertainment #nycfc #newyorkcityFC #fccincinnati #nickcushing #mitjailenic #thiagomartins #maximorales #MLS
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
Hey, coach, congratulations on the win
0:03
I know it was quite nail-biting towards the end. Walk me through a little bit of what your thoughts were in that second half
0:11
It seemed like both teams were pressing for the game, but at the same time apprehensive
0:17
What was your team's mindset before penalties? Yeah, I think it was a typical playoff game
0:25
We're so used to these one-off games. that I rely on the James Sands, Keaton Parks
0:32
Maxi Morales, Tiago Martins, to play the game that is in front of us
0:36
and that is defend incredibly well, but have a threat on the other end
0:42
And we can play better than that offensively. We can not give up chances
0:45
but in playoff football, the margins are so small that you've got to live on the edge at moments
0:51
and be brave and you've got to try and take your chances on the other end. So we lived in counter-attack
0:56
a little bit more than we'd want to, but this is a tough place to come and win
1:01
Our record here will show that. So to get to penalties was a positive
1:07
because it gave us a chance. Of course, I would like to win it in 90 minutes. Scott
1:15
Hey, coach, appreciate the time. Scott Church in Stream Punk Soccer. Piggybacking and moving forward a little bit
1:20
on what Anthony had, take us through the penalty kick in this case. Did it remind you much at all of 2021 in some ways
1:27
Or was this a brand new experience in your own regard Thanks I be really honest When we kept giving up the chance of winning it it reminded me of 2020 when we went to Orlando and had that crazy situation there right
1:40
It didn't remind me of 21 because we put most of those penalty shootouts away when we got the opportunity
1:46
But to have the composure and the calmness to actually put it away when we got the chance
1:51
we didn't obviously the first few times. Playoff football in MLS is so exciting
1:55
for the neutral for these moments. So you've just got to hope and pray that Lady Luck's on your side
2:01
and that you can execute in the moment that you get the chance. And Meech's penalty for his age and experience was far beyond what he is
2:10
Michael? Hey, Nick. Mike Handel from Blue City Radio. Happy birthday to you, first of all
2:16
But I've got to ask you about a tough decision you had to make. You didn't end up sticking with Thiago, but second game in a row
2:23
Thiago's been hurt and it's late in the game. And that question about having a player that's so important
2:29
but also a player who might not be 100%, maybe he's only 75%
2:33
and you stick with him and you keep him in the game. Yeah, you can see I'm going to bench a lot using my coaching staff
2:40
using my medical staff. In these games, those decisions fall ultimately on a flip of a coin at times
2:47
You're getting informed information from the medical guys, and Thiago's obviously making emotional decisions
2:53
He doesn't want to come out of the game. and maybe in the future I'll flip that guy and take him out
2:57
or I'll take an important guy out, but tonight I trusted my gut and as head coach, you just got to back what you feel
3:03
is the right decision right He an important guy for us probably one of our best performers all season So it difficult to take our captain out in a game where you know your season going to end So I went with it and you know I thought he showed real grit and determination
3:20
Great. Hey, Coach, can you talk a little bit about Matt Friis and what he's meant to this team
3:25
Maybe something we haven't seen off the field. Obviously had the huge performance
3:30
and the penalties and has been amazing all season. Yeah, you know, Matt's last season, he came in 2023, right
3:38
And he had to be patient to get the shirt. And him and Luis have fought it out and continue to
3:43
You know, the goalkeeping department is so competitive. Tom Romero, you know, Alex Randles
3:49
The reason why Matt Freese can compete at the level that he can is because of the chemistry and the cohesion that Rob has with the goalkeepers
3:58
Matt is growing into a real leader in the group. He has real presence in the dressing room
4:02
But just his desire, you know, I say all the time, all I want in our locker room is guys that are hungry
4:09
that believe and that have ambition. We have those three things, we have a chance, at least a chance
4:14
And Matt Fries, every time we missed, he just shows the ambition and the hunger
4:19
to save another one tonight. And that is just a great example of a guy that is a real high contributor to a team
4:25
Alec. Hey, coach. Congratulations on a great result. I just have a quick question
4:34
Obviously, as a longtime supporter and newer media member, we all know that Maxi Morales has been both incredibly important in several penalty shootouts and also has struggled in other penalty shootouts I was wondering whose decision ultimately it was to not include him
4:49
in the penalty shootout tonight and if there was any specific reason for that
4:54
Yeah, Maxi's been struggling with a little bit of muscle injury over the last two games
4:58
That's why he didn't start the first game here. Then he did. I pushed him to start tonight
5:03
In those last 10 minutes of the game, you could see that he was having
5:07
a few problems with the quad and it just wasn't right there but I needed him to stay and asked him
5:11
to stay in and he's New York through and through right so he shows the real grit and desire to help
5:17
the team he is like a coach on the field and when I take him out it's difficult to get the structure
5:23
and the and the organization so I asked him to go through to 90 minutes but it just was wasn't
5:28
possible for him to take so we had to put him last faced off he just had a problem but now he's over
5:32
to the medical team to make sure you'll be okay for the Red Bull game. Oliver? Hi, thank you
5:39
This is Oliver Strand with Hudson River Blue. Happy birthday. This is quite a birthday present, I imagine
5:44
Oliver, we're going to have to cut the press conference short. I apologize. I'm sorry
5:47
So if you could please speak to the performance of Justin Hack
5:51
Not only was he in defense again and played well, but his penalty that he took was extraordinary
5:59
If you could please talk to his performance. Yeah, I've said it before
6:03
Listen, firstly, I'll say I was 40 this morning. I feel 60 now. But yeah, top guy, got New York in his blood, a real fighter
6:10
just relishes the moment, right? And you see the goalkeeper is in his ear
6:15
but he just takes the moment. So a real guy I can rely on
#Sports News
#Sports
#Soccer