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Injuries + Suspensions — MLS — New York City FC

Toronto FC head coach John Herdman suspended by MLS

Sean Johnson and Richie Laryea are also suspended as the fallout continues to impact players and staff after Toronto FC's ill-tempered reaction to New York City FC's win.

,   and  Hudson River Blue Staff
4 min read
Toronto FC head coach John Herdman | © Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Moments ago, the MLS Disciplinary Committee announced that Toronto FC head coach John Herdman and goalkeeper Sean Johnson will be suspended for today's game against Nashville SC following their actions on the field after their loss to New York City FC on Saturday night at BMO Field.

In addition, Toronto midfielder Richie Laryea will be suspended. Laryea was wearing street clothes and not a part of the matchday squad while out recovering from hamstring surgery, yet was front-and-center in the BMO melee.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee also announced that the one-game suspensions of New York City FC defender Strahinja Tanasijević and Toronto striker Prince Owusu, reported yesterday, will be served today.

MLS Disciplinary Committee Suspensions after May 11 match between Toronto FC and New York City FC:

• Toronto, head coach John Herdman, suspended for 1 game
• Toronto, Sean Johnson, suspended for 1 game
• Toronto, Richie Laryea, suspended for 1 game
• New York City, Strahinja Tanasijević, red card, suspended for 1 game
• Toronto, Prince Owusu, red card, suspended for 1 game

Tom Bogert of The Athletic first reported the suspensions yesterday. His article reported that the suspensions of Tanasijević and Owusu would be extended to two games, and that Laryea would be suspended for three games. Bogert noted in his article that multi-game suspensions may be appealed.

But longer suspensions are still a possibility. The official statement from the MLS Disciplinary Committee stated it will continue "to assess the incident and those involved for further discipline, and will announce complete findings and sanctions at a later date."

With these rulings from the MLS Disciplinary Committee, Saturday's game led to a total of six suspensions for Toronto—TFC’s Federico Bernardeschi, Kevin Long are also suspended for non-melee reasons—and one suspension for New York City.

Footage from the Apple TV broadcast gives a field-level view of some of the confrontations, including the ones between Johnson and Tanasijević.

Here's another angle from Apple TV.

Here is the full statement from the MLS Disciplinary Committee:

Toronto-New York City incident

While the MLS Disciplinary Committee continues to review the post-match incident between New York City FC and Toronto FC on May 11, the following individuals have been suspended for May 15 games due to their involvement:

Toronto FC head coach John Herdman
Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea
Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson

Toronto FC forward Prince Owusu and New York City FC defender Strahinja Tanasijevic each received red cards for their involvement in the post-match incident. Owusu will serve his red card suspension against Nashville SC on May 15, and Tanasijevic will serve his red card suspension against the Philadelphia Union on May 15.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee continues to assess the incident and those involved for further discipline, and will announce complete findings and sanctions at a later date.

On Monday, Herdman was asked about his on-field behavior in a pregame press conference. The Toronto head coach replied that he did nothing wrong, and that he confronted New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing because he felt Cushing was involved in the dust-ups taking place.

Here is a close-up from the Apple TV footage of Herdman rushing Cushing.

In Monday’s press conference, Herdman also repeated the allegation he made Saturday night that Cushing punched a Toronto player in the tunnel at Yankee Stadium when the two teams played each other on March 16.

John Herdman: Toronto player “punched by the coach” of NYCFC
Here’s everything we know about the allegation made by the Toronto FC head coach against New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing.
Hudson River BlueHudson River Blue Staff

Cushing held a pregame press conference shortly after, and began by making a statement in which he categorically denied assaulting any player or staff member. Cushing went on to explain that New York City officially requested that MLS investigate the alleged incidents. The club said they turned over all security footage from that day to the league and Toronto FC in March.

New York City FC asks MLS to investigate assault allegation
New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing categorically denies that he punched any Toronto FC player or staff member.
Hudson River BlueHudson River Blue Staff

This post will be updated as new information becomes available.

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