Matt Pilkington has the right mindset for NYCFC II

New York City FC is fortunate to have their MLS Next Pro team, New York City FC II. The second team allows players who are part of the first team to earn minutes while they continue to develop. At the same time, the side can sign young local talent who might not be ready for Major League Soccer at the moment, but NYCFC could possibly sign down the road.

Leading the second team is Nick Cushing's fellow countryman, Matt Pilkington. The MLS Next Pro head coach has been with NYCFC since 2016 when he coached academy teams. He has been with the second team since it was founded in 2021 and began play in 2022.

In the previous two seasons, NYCFC II failed to qualify for the playoffs, just missing out. They finished in the middle of the overall table in the past two years, with last season finishing in 16th out of 27 teams. They finished eighth in the Eastern Conference. Hence, the side would like to improve and make the playoffs this season.

Matt Pilkington says the right things about NYCFC II

Currently, NYCFC II is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and 11th overall. In other words, the team is in a playoff spot. They also had some success in the U.S. Open Cup where they were the only MLS Next Pro team to make it to the Round of 16. It is easy to declare this season as being successful thus far.

Pilkington has an idea of what would make this season successful, for he wants to see the team continue to improve each season. He told newyorkcityfc.com, "The team objective is to make playoffs and go on a run."

The head coach added, "Our ultimate goal is to aid the development of our players and prepare them for the next level.  We believe that winning is a massive part of development and so we’re trying to connect the two."

This is rather refreshing to hear when it comes to development. Cushing would discuss learning from each game and imply growing pains in development for NYCFC. This would often frustrate fans. Pilkington, on the other hand, focuses on the goals. Of course, Cushing does as well, but the NYCFC II head coach words things differently so that it would not frustrate fans.

Moreover, Pilkington is putting his words into action. NYCFC fans have seen some development, especially with Christian McFarlane. The young left-back has been the first-choice starter since he made his debut. Kevin O'Toole might be healthy, but Cushing is still choosing the player who spent plenty of time with NYCFC II.

Plus, the MLS Next Pro team is playing better this season. They went through plenty of turnover in the offseason but still have fielded a solid team full of former NYCFC academy players, current first-team players who are basically assigned to NYCFC II, and other local products.

Fans are seeing Pilkington's words in action, but the fact he wants to take young teams and develop them while still winning is a fantastic mindset. He and the rest of NYCFC could have decided the focus was on development only so a Homegrown player or NYCFC II product would be ready for MLS. Instead, he is instituting a winning mindset into these young players.

Last season, it felt like the results were acceptable for NYCFC since it was a rebuilding year. Sure, Cushing did not come out and say this, but his press conferences made it appear this way. Pilkington on the other hand does not want to lose while developing players. He wants to win, and that would equate to success. Developing teams does not have to be painful, but rather, it can be fun and exciting as well.

It will be interesting to see how NYCFC II finishes the season, whether they make the playoffs, and how far they go if they do.