Toronto FC coach John Herdman alleged that NYCFC coach Nick Cushing “punched in the face” a 19-year-old Toronto player. Cushing categorically denied the allegation.
Herdman revealed the allegation in the postgame press conference following a contentious match between Toronto and NYCFC, which NYCFC won 3-2.
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“That was the off record report that came into the dressing room at halftime from a 19-year-old who said he got cornered and punched in the face,” Herdman said when asked directly if he was alleging that Cushing punched one of his players.
The alleged incident, according to Herman, happened at halftime during the previous game between the two teams on March 16 at Yankee Stadium. The only player in the Toronto first team who is 19-years-old is Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, though Herdman never mentioned him by name.
“I can honestly say as a head coach, I’ve done 348 games, I’ve never ever laid a finger on a player,” Cushing told reporters John Molinaro and Neil Davidson.
NYCFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Herdman said nothing came of the alleged incident because “the cameras weren’t working in certain areas of the stadium.”
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio also discussed the allegation.
“Their coach talks and says things to certain players that crosses the line,” Osorio said. “When we hear their coach and three players cornered a 19-year-old of ours by himself, that’s going to be a problem. We were just letting them know we didn’t forget about that.”
After the match on Saturday, there was an altercation between the clubs, centered around TFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson and NYCFC defender Strahinja Tanasijević. Also at the beginning of the clip below, Herdman is seen charging toward and bumping Cushing. The two were quickly separated.
Altercation after the final whistle between Toronto FC and NYCFC.
Sean Johnson and Strahinja Tanasijević in the middle of it. pic.twitter.com/qsIRc9Oqhb
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) May 12, 2024
“One of their players crossed the line and head-butted Sean Johnson,” Osorio said. “I saw it. He head-butted him.”
Johnson spent six seasons with NYCFC, winning MLS Cup. He is the club’s all-time leader in appearances. He signed with Toronto FC in free agency ahead of the 2023 season.
(Photo: Stephen Nadler / ISI Photos / Getty Images)