Nick Cushing hailed the North Carolina Courage as 'the best team in America.'

Nick Cushing hailed the North Carolina Courage as ‘the best team in America.’

City face the National Women’s Soccer League outfit in the Women’s International Champions Cup on Thursday 15 August to see who will face either Lyon or Atletico Madrid in the weekend’s Final or Third-Place Play-Off.

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Speaking in a press conference ahead of the game, Cushing revealed he is relishing the chance to face American opposition.

“We came here last year and we didn’t get the opportunity to play the Courage,” he reflected. “We’re really keen to play them. Playing US opposition is a new experience for us.

“We’ve watched the league and the Courage and we know their assets – they’re strong and the best team in America currently.

“We’re excited to play them. It’s the pre-season we need. Whoever we play will be a test for us. We have to make sure we prepare well so it’s a positive experience, moving forward.

“Games like this prepare us well. These games are harder than any WSL game we will play.”

Watch Nick Cushing and Demi Stokes‘ media address above...