Nick Cushing acknowledged the importance of New York City FC’s supporters at Citi Field for Game 2 of their best-of-three series MLS playoff clash with FC Cincinnati.
Yamil Asad’s only goal handed the Orange and Blue a slender advantage heading into their upcoming encounter, though the Pigeons head coach was confident about his sides chances on home soil.
NYCFC won 10 games at Citi Field during the regular season, with only Inter Miami (11) winning more in the Eastern Conference.
And Cushing believes that his players must start the game well to ensure their home fans generate an “incredible” atmosphere to push them over the line.
“We love playing at home in front of our people,” Cushing said. “I said post-game - irrelevant of what happened in Cincinnati - we're now playing in front of our people, and that is where we play our best football, but we need everybody behind us.
“The players are incredibly hungry. They have a huge desire to win this football game and to make sure that we win the game with our people. They've been amazing all season. I can always go back to the Miami game [this season]. That was incredible.
“It was actually interesting because the Miami game at Yankee Stadium was an amazing game in front of our fans. Our fans delivered so much for us, but the last playoff game I did at Citi Field was also against Miami.
“That was an incredible atmosphere and a good performance from the team. We know that if we play well and we start well we get our people behind us, and that is our aim.”
Pat Noonan, meanwhile, expects another difficult “chaotic” playoff encounter, evident when NYCFC’s goalkeeper Matt Freese was sent up from the back late on to try and steal a point in the opening game.
Cincinnati boasts an impressive record away from home, though, and Noonan said the ending of their previous match was a timely reminder to his players about the aggressive nature of the postseason.
“On Monday, we experienced what it looks like when there is no aggregate, and that’s teams going for it with no repercussions if they concede another goal,” Noonan said.
“We have a one goal lead, and they were going after it. You could see it when the goalkeeper came up at the end. It’s a little bit chaotic, so you must be prepared for it.
“That was a good reminder of what the game can look like when you’re playing with a lead and, on the other side of it, the ability to go after it in a very aggressive way to find the leveller – that was the reminder we needed from that particular game.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
NYCFC – Alonzo Martinez
Since his move to NYCFC in August 2023, Martinez has found home comfort at Citi Field, netting 11 of his 16 goals in the 2024 regular season on home soil.
Along with team-mate Santiago Rodriguez, who scored in 10 of his 12 games at home, the Pigeons, along with Inter Miami (Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez), were the only two teams to feature two different players with 10 home goals this term.
Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta
Acosta continued his fine regular season form into the postseason, setting up Asad for the only goal in Cincinnati’s 1-0 win in Game 1 on Monday.
The Argentine has now scored (three) or assisted (three) in six of Cincinnati’s 10 all-time playoff goals.
MATCH PREDICTION: NYCFC WIN
The Pigeons have won five of their seven home matches against Cincinnati (D1 L1), though both of Cincinnati’s games away from home against NYCFC have come in their three visits since 2022.
NYCFC have lost only four of their last 25 home matches in all competitions dating back to late August 2023 (W15 D6). They have won their last two home matches, scoring three goals in each, including a 3-2 win over Cincinnati in October.
However, Cincinnati, along with Inter Miami, won 11 away matches in the 2024 regular season, equalling CF Montreal’s single-season MLS record set in 2022. They only managed two wins in their last six on the road (D1 L3) though, after winning nine of their first 11 away matches in 2024 (D1 L1).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
NYCFC – 43.7%
Draw – 26.8%
Cincinnati – 29.5%
Reggae Boyz and West Ham's striker Michail Antonio involved in motor vehicle accident
Jamaica's Reggae Boy and West Ham United striker, Michail Antonio, was involved in a road traffic accident on Saturday, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Michail, his family, and friends at this time," West Ham said in a brief message shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Details regarding the severity of the incident remain unclear, with the club promising to provide further updates in due course.
"West Ham United can confirm striker Michail Antonio has today been involved in a road traffic accident. The club will issue an update in due course," the statement read.
The news has sparked concern among fans and the footballing community, with many offering their own messages of support for the player, who has been a key figure for both club and country.
As more information becomes available, supporters of the 34-year-old forward, known for his contributions on and off the field, will be hoping for a positive outcome.
Kicking off a new partnership: CB Foods becomes official protein sponsor of PFJL
CB Foods has entered the football arena, kicking off a new three-year league partnership and becoming the Official Protein Sponsor of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), the managers of the Jamaica Premier League.
This partnership was sealed on Thursday, December 5th at the offices of the CB Group.
Janet Sylvester, Divisional Manager of CB Foods Ltd, expressed her company’s enthusiasm about the collaboration.
“We are thrilled to be part of nation-building. As a company with over 40 years in the industry, we have contributed to various sectors, including agriculture, entertainment, food and beverage, and we are now entering the sports arena. CB Foods aims to combine all our efforts to strengthen the Jamaica Premier League, focusing on youth development and supporting clubs and small businesses,” she disclosed.
“At CB Group, we practice a culture of sustainability. Our purpose is to make a positive impact, and when we consider the future, our focus is on empowering people who will help us build sustainable industries. This mission aligns closely with our core values at CB Group,” she explained.
Samantha Fisher, the Assistant Brand Manager of CB Foods, highlighted the significance of football in Jamaica.
"Football is more than just a sport in Jamaica; it’s a way of life, a unifying force, and a celebration of our culture. CB Foods has always been passionate about nourishing our people with care and quality, we are excited to be a part of one of Jamaica’s most beloved national pastimes. Through this collaboration, we hope to ignite excitement, inspire greatness both on and off the field, and connect with the community: the footballers, fans, and foodies."
For his part, Owen Hill, CEO of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited, said the CB Foods’ commitment to nation building and community involvement, augurs well the alignment of both entities.
“CB Foods is a community brand, and we appreciate their boldness in not only expressing their values but also actively working to make a real difference. Our goal is to positively impact the lives of footballers, the community, and the clubs. This three-year partnership reflects our commitment and passion for changing lives through football. We are excited to see what the next three years will bring,” said Hill.
Hill emphasized the benefits of the partnership for the players.
“This partnership directly impacts the clubs’ overall mindset because more collaborations like this will lead to greater visibility. Motivation is crucial, as it drives their performance on and off the field,” Hill explained.
CB Foods will engage with the community through its brands, including CB Chicken, Caribbean Passion, and Bad Dawg Sausages. We look forward to seeing how they will execute their initiatives at various Jamaica Premier League matches and in the community.
Guardiola believes De Bruyne will be difficult to replace at Man City
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola knows it will be difficult to find a replacement for midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, should the Belgian depart next year.
The playmaker joined City in 2015 and has played a key role in their trophy-laden spell since then, but he will be out of contract at the end of the season.
De Bruyne's season has been hampered by injury, but the 33-year-old started his first Premier League game since August as City returned to winning ways after seven winless games against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
And Guardiola could not stress enough the impact De Bruyne has had on the club.
"I'm not involved in it," the City boss said, when quizzed about contract negotiations with De Bruyne.
"I would like to have him 23 years old and sign a contract for 10 years, this is what I'd like, we'll see."
De Bryune signed for City a year before Guardiola's arrival and has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five EFL Cups while also helping them to their first-ever Champions League triumph during the 2022-23 season.
"There are players for whom the impact on the legacy of this club will be eternal, will be forever," said Guardiola.
"Of course, it is not easy to replace [them], but as a club, we have to find in the moment, if it's going to happen, we have to find the best way."
Before the game against Forest, Guardiola had to brush aside suggestions of a rift between himself and De Bruyne.
"People say I've got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don't want Kevin to play?" he said.
"The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don't want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?
"He's delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he's been five months injured [last season] and two months injured [this season].
"He's 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He'll try to do it and feel better. I'm desperate to have his best."
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