New York City Football Club will take on FC Dallas tomorrow evening, with Head Coach Pascal Jansen emphasizing the team’s focus ahead of the final game in a demanding road stretch.
A 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City last time out helped New York City collect four points from their previous two road games. Friday’s meeting with FC Dallas will be the last in a four-game run of consecutive road games. Eager to finish on a high, Jansen confirmed his players are focused on securing a positive result.
“For us, it's just mainly getting a positive result in an away match,” Jansen said. “Our away stretch is something that we focus on in order to get that job better from our side.”
Jansen also praised his team’s resilience while highlighting areas for improvement as the squad approaches the conclusion of a busy month in MLS.
“I think we handled ourselves until now pretty decent, as you say,” he explained. “The circumstances are tough, but I mentioned that to one of your colleagues just now as well. It's both teams who have to deal with these situations, so I think we handled ourselves decent so far.
“The one thing I would say is, the second half against Kansas, we got ourselves into a situation where we were too passive. I'm not sure if that is only weather-related or the fact that we had to play a few games in a short period of time, but that is something we need to avoid going forward into the fourth match in a short period of time.”
Elsewhere, there was also an update on defender Thiago Martins, following news earlier in the day that the Club captain had undergone knee surgery. He will be absent for a period of time, with his manager wishing him well in his recovery.
“From what I've been told this morning, the surgery went well, so we wish him a speedy recovery because he's a massive piece for our dressing room and our team and the way we want to play,” he said. “So hopefully things will go well.”
Known for his touchline attire, Jansen was asked if he plans to stick with his signature look for the match against Dallas, despite the potential heat and humidity expected in Texas on Friday night.
“I think I said enough about my sweatsuit,” he smiled. “But I'll give you this: I'm very proud to wear this sweatsuit, and it feels comfortable. Even though it was hot and humid, I'm perfectly comfortable wearing it. I haven't made my decision going into the game against Dallas yet, but we'll have to wait and see for tomorrow.”
Speaking alongside Jansen was defender Justin Haak. The New York native recently surpassed 2,000 MLS minutes for the first time in his career and echoed the team’s focus ahead of the Dallas fixture, reflecting on his growing role within the squad.
“I always wanted a bigger role. I always felt like I could do more for the team,” Haak said. “And now that I'm here, I just feel like I can better show what I've always felt all along.”
With several young players making the step up from the Club’s Academy system, Haak also spoke about his role in mentoring the next generation.
“It’s really important for me, especially coming from the academy,” he said. “Seeing all these guys getting really good opportunities with the first team, training every day. So it's just whatever little bits I can help them with, even just talking to them a bit more off the field, helping them feel comfortable. I try to do it as much as I can.”
