As NYCFC continue to climb the Eastern Conference standings, the club are not concerned with looking at the table this week.
NYCFC welcome FC Cincinnati on Thursday (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, DAZN in Canada) with the visitors struggling of late, slipping to the bottom of the table.
"Forget about the table," NYCFC head coach Dome Torrent said this week. "I know how important it is to respect every team, because we will make the mistake to think it'll be easy. There's not an easy game in MLS."
FC Cincy have lost eight of their last nine games and have just one win since March 24. As much that had been made of their perceived lack of goals, it's the defense that has failed the club in recent weeks.
"Defensively, everybody needs to step up," Cincy midfielder Victor Ulloa said. "Ten goals [allowed] in the last three games is unacceptable, we have to take responsibility. It's difficult when we're chasing games, it's on us. The mental mistakes and concentration are things we can work on."
NYCFC, meanwhile, are having no issues defensively.
The club have conceded the second fewest goals in the East, a key reason why they have just one loss this season.
"My feeling right now that this year they understand how important the ball is," Torrent said. "That's the reason why I'm happy with all of them. For me, the best center backs in the league are in New York City."
As this match falls during a time when clubs are sending players to their national teams, both NYCFC and FC Cincinnati will be shorthanded for the match.
"Right now we're in trouble on the left side," Torrent said. "We have to adapt quickly because we have a game and we have to find a solution. We have 16 players plus two keepers, but it's not about [that] for NYCFC. Cincinnati are missing players for the game."
