Nick Cushing is relishing the “underdog” title put on his New York City FC side as they prepare for their first-round playoff tie against FC Cincinnati.
The Pigeons finished the regular season with a 2-0 defeat to CF Montreal but had already confirmed their spot in the postseason with an impressive victory over rivals, New York Red Bulls.
Cushing acknowledged his side could have finished further up the Eastern Conference rankings, but said his team have shown positive signs they can compete in the playoffs.
“Whether we are the underdog or not, we always fancy ourselves,” Cushing said. “I have huge belief in every guy in that dressing room, and they have huge belief in each other.
“We’ve had some disappointing results and that’s why we sit where we do in the league. The most consistent teams are at the top, but we have also shown a positive reaction to those difficult results.
“For us, it’s about taking the positives. We have always done that. We have always faced up to the areas we need to improve and have always fronted the disappointment.
“We’ve had some top games against Cincinnati, and we’re confident we can put performances in, and we’re motivated for the end.”
Cincinnati, meanwhile, ended the season third in the division, finishing their campaign on a high with a triumph over the Philadelphia Union away from home.
The Orange and Blue have struggled for continuity within their squad in the regular season, with coach Pat Noonan forced to play 42 different line-ups in all 42 matches across all competitions.
Noonan deployed winger Luca Orellano, who has been shortlisted for MLS Newcomer of the Year, as a striker, with the Argentine impressing in that role.
And the Cincinnati boss believes that Orellano can make an impact in a more central role, but said improvements were needed for the visit of NYCFC.
“Yeah, there was a bit of risk in that," Noonan said of starting a player in a new position in such an important matchup.
"If you're looking at our goal threats, as far as personnel and who's contributed pretty consistently, it's been the three that were up top today, with Lucho, Yuya and Luca.
"There were still a few moments where I think he could have been more patient. But, for having not played in that specific role up to this point, I thought he did a good job."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta
Acosta has been the standout player for Cincinnati during the regular season, with his 30 goal contributions in the MLS the highest in the division (level with Lionel Messi and Evander).
He has recorded 13 goal contributions in his career against NYCFC (six goals, seven assists), including contributing to eight goals in his last five MLS matches against the Pigeons (four goals, four assists), contributing to at least one goal in each of those games.
NYCFC – Alonso Martinez
Martinez has scored eight goals in nine appearances since the MLS returned from the Leagues Cup break in August, tied with Messi and Luis Suarez for the most goals in the league in that time.
The Costa Rican has scored one goal against Cincinnati in his three appearances against them, but has only won one match against the Orange and Blue (L2).
MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN
This will be the first postseason meeting between Cincinnati and NYCFC. The Pigeons defeated Cincinnati in the last meeting between the two sides, after the Orange and Blue had won the previous five fixtures in all competitions.
Despite being favoured by Opta’s data-led simulations, Noonan’s side won only one of their final six regular-season home matches (D1 L4), including losing the last two in a row at TQL Stadium. Cincinnati had lost six of their previous 39 home league games before losing four of the last six.
But NYCFC have struggled away from home. They won only one of their final 13 away matches in all competitions (D6 L6) dating back to June. That run included a 4-2 loss against Cincinnati in the group stage of the Leagues Cup in August.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Cincinnati – 46.9%
Draw – 26.4%
NYCFC – 26.7%
Unai Emery sets Champions League mission as Aston Villa edge Southampton win
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is quickly turning his attention to the UEFA Champions League following their 1-0 Premier League win over Southampton.
Jhon Duran's first-half goal sealed successive league victories for Emery on the back of three straight top-flight losses against rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Victory against the Saints is a vital boost for Emery ahead of a crucial few weeks of action before the end of 2024.
Villa head to RB Leipzig on 10 December, looking to push their case for a spot in the Round of 16, followed by four more league clashes this month.
The immediate focus for Emery is on Leipzig, with Villa's contrasting European form a cause for concern, despite a brilliant start on their Champions League debut.
Three straight wins in their first appearance in the competition since it was renamed – including an historic 1-0 home victory over Bayern Munich – put Villa in a strong position, but defeat to Club Brugge and a 0-0 tie with Juventus has stalled their momentum.
The former Arsenal chief wants this result to act as a platform for his team ahead of their tricky trip to Germany in midweek.
"Over the 90 minutes we had chances to score more, but sometimes they dominated possession. We managed the game plan to try and find a way to win," as per quotes from BBC Sport.
"The most important thing is how we're progressively getting more comfortable on the field. We had to use substitutions because we have the Champions League on Tuesday. Three matches in nine days. We have to be ready with the players we have available to try and enjoy the competition.
"The Champions League is something we have to enjoy, but we also focus on the difficulties in the Premier League, and the challenge against Nottingham Forest is something else. But, we have to try and get to the next round of the Champions League."
Up next for Villa is that Midlands derby with Forest, followed by a crunch clash at home to Manchester City on 21 December.
A win for Villa puts them up to fifth in the table, but defeat for Southampton registers as their 12th league loss of the campaign so far, with Russell Martin's team still rooted to the foot of the table.
Individual mistakes are becoming a theme, and centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis was robbed by Duran for Villa's winner, with Martin left to rue a familiar frustrating story for his team.
"We gave away a poor goal when it was a good, tight game. We changed shape and then the game became transitional. They were trying to find another goal, so it became very open," he said.
"We're two v one, and we had a chance to clear the ball, and we don't. It's another mistake. We forced them long, and then we had another two v one, and he [Duran] somehow comes out with the ball and scores."
Up next for Southampton is a home tie with Tottenham next weekend, followed by an EFL Cup quarter-final at home to Liverpool on December 18.
JFF, Reggae Boyz Head Coach wish Antonio speedy recovery after car crash
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has issued a statement wishing for the speedy recovery of Reggae Boyz and West Ham United striker Michail Antonio following a motor vehicle accident in Essex on Saturday.
Since news of the accident, West Ham have confirmed that Antonio is in stable condition at a London Hospital, conscious and communicating under careful supervision.
JFF President Michael Ricketts and Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren have both offered world of encouragement to Antonio in the statement sent out by the federation this afternoon.
"On behalf of the entire group of players, support staff and technical staff, I would like to wish Michail a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with him at this time,” McClaren said.
“On behalf of the entire Jamaica Football Federation family, I would like to wish Michail a safe and speedy recovery. At this point let us keep him in our prayers as he recovers,” Ricketts added.
Further updates will be issued in due course between West Ham United in collaboration with the Jamaica Football Federation.
Guardiola 'so proud' of Man City despite Palace draw
Pep Guardiola saluted Manchester City's fight and insisted he is "so proud of the team", despite them dropping more points in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
City were forced to come from behind in each half at Selhurst Park, where Erling Haaland and Rico Lewis cancelled out efforts from Daniel Munoz and Maxence Lacroix.
The reigning Premier League champions are now winless in their last four away games, while they have won just one of their last nine matches in all competitions.
City sit fourth in the table and eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand after their scheduled Merseyside Derby against Everton was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
Nevertheless, Guardiola paid tribute to his players.
Assessing the performance, he said: "Really good. So proud of the team. I liked everything about the team, how we fought. We have a lot of problems with our squad.
"We fought incredibly. We came back twice. It's a difficult place to come. We struggled in the beginning. We gave everything, and we take a point.
"We started the second half a bit sloppy. After [going 2-1 down], we reacted well."
However, Bernardo Silva could not hide his frustration at City's recent poor form.
"With Man City it's always two points lost," he told BBC Sport. "One point is better than zero, but we're not happy at the moment. We know our situation with injuries.
"Coming to Crystal Palace is never easy, but we have to do better. When I finish a game and I get a point, I'm not happy. It's not the way we built this team, it's not our standard.
"We have to do better, we have to react better to the second balls. We have to give them less opportunities from set-pieces.
"We're in December. We'd like to be in a different position. The last month-and-a-half has not been good enough."
Meanwhile, Palace moved up to 16th after extending their unbeaten run to four matches, and Oliver Glasner felt the Eagles were unfortunate not to take maximum points.
"We are pleased with the point and many parts of the performance," he said. "It feels like if we'd performed at our best level, we could have won the game.
"An unbeaten week with draws against Newcastle and Manchester City, everything is fine. We want to improve and get better in some situations, and we could win those games.
"After having the lead twice, especially after 2-1, we got too passive. It's not that easy against City, it's not a criticism of the players, but when you're in your own third, it's a matter of time. A gap of one yard, they find it with one or two touches.
"The players are in a very good situation and shape. We have more and more options. The results give us confidence."
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