Frank Lampard has said there is "immense pressure" on New York City FC to qualify for the MLS playoffs.
The club have taken 28 points from their first 27 games in the MLS and are outside the playoff spots.
They have struggled for form despite boasting players such as ex-Chelsea star Lampard, David Villa, Andrea Pirlo and Mix Diskerud in their ranks.
"The pressure on us is immense, but there are still enough points to be won. But it's no use pointing that out -- we need to win games," Lampard, 37, told German football magazine kicker.
The former England international made his debut for NYCFC in a 3-2 defeat to Montreal Impact at the Yankee Stadium on Aug. 1, when he came off the bench after 69 minutes.
He praised the atmosphere at MLS matches, saying: "It didn't really surprise me, because we regularly toured the United States with Chelsea in preseason and you could feel the development over the past 10 or 15 years.
"The atmosphere during our derby with New York Red Bulls was incredible, basically no different to a match in the Premier League."
And Lampard said he had been impressed by the "good quality" of the league, adding: "I believe everyone can see the improvements MLS has made. There is a lot of intensity in the games, they are exciting and it's open who comes out on a top."
He said he was enjoying life in New York and could opt to extend his stay.
"Should the club ask me whether I would like to stay longer, I would be delighted. Let's wait and see," he told the magazine.