New York City FC parts ways with head coach Nick Cushing after MLS playoff exit

New York City FC announced on Tuesday that they have fired head coach Nick Cushing.

The decision comes after the team finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with 50 points (14-12-8) this season. Although they reached the MLS Cup conference semifinals, their campaign ended with a 2-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls, who were seeded seventh.

Sporting director David Lee expressed gratitude for Cushing’s contributions in a club statement. “Nick has shown incredible dedication to our club and city,” Lee said. “He played a key role in helping us win our first MLS Cup as an assistant coach and later guided the team to a Campeones Cup victory in 2022 as Interim Head Coach.” However, Lee added, “As we plan for the 2025 season and beyond, we feel it’s time to take the team in a new direction. We sincerely thank Nick for everything and wish him and his family the best.”

Cushing became NYCFC’s permanent head coach before the 2023 season. Under his leadership, the team posted a 9-11-14 record (41 points) that year. In 2022, as interim head coach, he helped the team finish third in the Eastern Conference and make another trip to the semifinals.

The 40-year-old has been part of the City Football Group since 2006. Before joining NYCFC, he coached Manchester City’s women’s team, leading them to six trophies during his tenure.

NYCFC has begun the search for a new head coach. Cushing’s dismissal comes just one day after the Vancouver Whitecaps parted ways with their coach, Vanni Sartini, following an eighth-place finish in the Western Conference and a first-round playoff exit.