Nick Cushing said his New York City players must use the pain from recent results to progress as a team when they head to the Lower.com Field to face Columbus Crew this weekend.
The Pigeons returned from an impressive Leagues Cup display with a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire but were left disappointed with the result after squandering a two-goal lead to share the spoils thanks to Brian Gutierrez’s late penalty.
NYCFC are now without a win in the MLS in their last five fixtures, with Cushing describing the mood in the dressing room as “flat” following their latest setback.
Despite their run of form, Cushing’s side sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, and he is looking for his team to show character during the difficulties they are experiencing.
“In the good moments you realise you are making progress, and you are maturing and learning in that side of the game,” Cushing said.
“In the side of the game we are strong we are building the play and pressing the game, the other side of the game that experience gives you and going through those moments gives you.
“Progress is really difficult in the moment, but we have to make sure this isn’t every four weeks. We have to take the pain and I have said this before that tough times make top teams.”
Columbus returned to MLS action in midweek after their Leagues Cup success and continued their winning momentum with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union, a team they beat in the semi-finals on their way to the title.
They ended an almost nine-year losing streak at Subaru Park, with substitute Yaw Yeboah coming off the bench to strike the decisive blow in the 75th minute.
The Crew moved to within two points of second-placed Cincinnati with the victory and have the comfort of two games in hand, but head coach Wilfried Nancy has a difficult task in navigating their hectic fixture schedule.
Only Malte Amundsen and Sean Zawadzki kept their place from their Leagues Cup triumph over LAFC, with Nancy acknowledging the fighting spirit of his players, with special praise for Yeboah’s patience this campaign.
"They are human beings," Nancy said. "We cannot minimise the fatigue of the body and of the brain. They were exhausted, simple as that.
"What a game. This is a winning team, but the fact that everybody was involved, and we were able to start with a few guys and, after that, to finish with other guys, and they kept the level great (though) everybody was tired.
"To be a player, it's a beautiful job, but it's not easy. Sometimes you play, sometimes you don't play. But the idea was to be honest with him and to tell him the situation. When the moment would come, I knew that he was able to help us win the game."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez
Cucho Hernandez has found a place he can call home at the Lower.com Field, and his comfort on home soil has been replicated in his sensational contributions up front.
He has been involved in 20 goals in 17 home matches in all competitions in 2024 (14 goals and six assists), totalling 14 goal involvements in his eight matches at Lower.com Field since the beginning of June (nine goals and five assists).
NYCFC – Alonso Martinez
Alonso Martinez was on target in NYCFC’s last match against Chicago Fire, scoring twice in the same match for the third time this season.
Only Spanish great David Villa and Valentin Castellanos (both three times) have recorded more multi-goal games in a single campaign in club history.
MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN
Columbus are unbeaten in nine straight home matches against NYCFC in all competitions (W6 D3 including a penalty shoot-out win in this year’s Leagues Cup quarter-final). The Pigeons' only win in 13 visits to Columbus was a 3-2 victory in April 2017.
The Crew have lost only one of its last 37 home matches in all competitions (W25 D11) dating back to May 2023. They have won seven of their last nine matches at Lower.com Field, culminating in their Leagues Cup Final win over Los Angeles FC on Sunday.
NYCFC conceded in the 78th and 94th minute in their draw with Chicago Fire last time out, marking the first time in club history that they have failed to win a match that they led by multiple goals in the 75th minute or later (previous W85 D0 L0).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Columbus Crew – 64.5%
Draw – 19%
NYCFC – 16.5%
St Kitts announces squad for Concacaf Nations League October matches
St Kitts and Nevis Senior Men’s National team head coach Francisco Molina has named his squad for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League home matches in October. The team will face off against the British Virgin Islands on October 9 and the Cayman Islands on October 15, with both matches set to take place at Warner Park at 3:30 pm.
The squad will feature experienced goalkeeper Julani Archibald, who will be relied upon to provide stability between the posts. He will be supported by defenders such as Kai Trotman, Ash-on Maynard, and Kalonji Clarke, while Raheem Hanley and Omarion Liburd add versatility to the backline.
Midfield will be anchored by Malique Roberts, Marvin McSheen, and Devion Harvey, who are expected to drive the team’s transition between defense and attack. Mervin Lewis and Nequan Browne will also play pivotal roles in midfield, with the likes of Tyquan Terrell and Yohannes Mitchum adding creativity and energy.
Kyle Kelly and Tiquanny Williams will be tasked with providing the attacking flair, while Kimaree Rogers, Dequan Hamilton, and Gvaune Amory add depth in forward positions. Javern Matthew, Shevene Boston, Jahlyan Burt, and Dionis Stephens are all set to contribute to the team's efforts as well, with Trimar Samuel and Jahmarli Connor adding further options to the squad.
The squad also boasts the experience of Romaine Sawyers, who will bring leadership and composure to the midfield, making him a key figure in the team's campaign.
As St Kitts & Nevis look to build on their performances in the Concacaf Nations League, these home matches offer an opportunity for the team to secure valuable points and continue their push toward regional success.
Portland Timbers 0-0 FC Dallas: Neville's men held after securing playoff spot
The Portland Timbers were held to a goalless draw by FC Dallas on Sunday, having already clinched an MLS Cup playoff berth by virtue of results elsewhere.
Austin FC's 2-1 defeat to the LA Galaxy on Saturday, which led to the team firing head coach Josh Wolff, ensured they could not overhaul Portland for the Western Conference's final wild-card spot.
The Timbers still went with a strong lineup for their final home game of the regular season but had to settle for a point.
Both Portland and Dallas had their chances, having 19 and 18 shots respectively, with the hosts almost finding a winner in second-half stoppage time as Dario Zuparic's header was cleared off the line.
Perhaps their best opportunity came in the 88th minute, but Dallas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer pushed Felipe Mora's attempt over the crossbar to preserve the visitors' clean sheet.
Dallas, who had already been eliminated from the playoff race, sit 11th in the West, while Portland missed a chance to close the gap to the automatic qualification spots, which are now out of reach due to seventh-placed Minnesota United boasting two more wins with one game remaining.
Data Debrief: Timbers end playoff exile
Portland enter the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2021, having missed out in both of the last two campaigns.
They finished as runners-up when they last made the postseason, while three of their last six playoff appearances have seen them make the MLS Cup Final.
'Grades are given at the end of the season' – Luis Enrique calm as PSG lose top spot
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was not disheartened by seeing his side relinquish top spot following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Nice in Ligue 1.
PSG were forced to come from behind to maintain their unbeaten start to 2024-25, with Nuno Mendes cancelling out Ali Abdi's opener early in the second half.
The French champions were unable to find a winner despite enjoying 71.1% of the possession and attempting 19 shots to Nice's eight. Nice's possession share of 28.8% was their lowest in Ligue 1 since December 2011 (28.7% versus Lille).
The result leaves PSG second in the table with 17 points, two adrift of Monaco.
It is the second season in a row that PSG have not led Ligue 1 after seven matchdays, having sat fifth at this stage last term. They topped the table after seven games in five of the previous six campaigns (second in 2020-21).
"We are at the beginning of the season. The start seems promising to me. I like what I see. I think it's a much better start than last season," Luis Enrique told a press conference on Sunday.
"Grades are given at the end of the season. When the season is over we'll see the grade...
"The important thing is to win the league. The most important thing is to be in contention for all the titles."
The Spaniard did add, however, that simple errors had proven costly, saying: "There was a level of inaccuracy from most of the players that was not usual and a lot of very simple technical actions, easy passes, situations that we normally solve, a very high number of unusual mistakes.
He was, though, proud of his players' reaction to falling behind midway through the first half.
"I am especially proud after a bad first half. A really bad one. I'm proud of their spirit. They concentrated on the game, on trying to turn the game around," he said.
PSG face Strasbourg in their next league game on October 19, before taking on PSV in the Champions League three days later.
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