Cushing: "Sands is still in pain but the US game won't be a problem for him"

James Sands was selected to represent his country against Mexico on April 19, having made his debut in July 2021.

Speaking to the media ahead of City's MLS match against Nashville SC on Saturday, Cushing shared an injury update on Sands, who was forced off against Atlanta United last weekend.

Although the coach admits this weekend's clash at Citi Field may come too soon for the club's first local player, he hopes the 22-year-old is ready to play for his country.

"I think the US game won't be a problem for James," Cushing explained. “Hopefully he will be ready for Saturday. With his pain tolerance and knowing he'll play three games in one week, maybe we need to be smart with James. He's still in pain – thankfully, it wasn't serious, but it's on the top of his foot, and there's a lot of pain there. He didn't come out this week – maybe this game comes too soon for him, I don't know"

“There are no problems with the American national team. If our game was on Tuesday or Wednesday, we would have no problem with him watching three games in one week. That problem might solve itself, simply because it might just end up being two games: the United States and FC Dallas."