New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard defended the spirit of the club's players after manager Jason Kreis reacted angrily to the 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
Kreis, who believes the result means his side need to win their remaining seven games to make the playoffs, said he "couldn't be more disappointed."
"The players need to show if they want to be here and be a part of this," the MLS website quoted him as saying.
"I know the coaching staff cares an awful lot about this club and the job we're attempting to do. I'm not so sure all the players do."
But Lampard, substituted after 60 minutes of his first appearance at Yankee Stadium, said: "Managers and players should be emotional after defeats at times, but there's an all-round spirit in the camp and I don't see a problem at all.
"We're not getting the results and the consistency, but for me it's not for the want of trying."
The former Chelsea star, who had missed the last three games with a muscle problem, said: "I can't be at my best. I've only trained for days, rather than weeks."