A three-time NASL champion with the New York Cosmos, the Timbers boss will look to lift his first MLS Cup title on Saturday
Standing in the middle of the field at Atlanta Silverbacks Park five years ago, Giovanni Savarese couldn't contain the smile he wore from ear to ear. One by one, New York Cosmos players, fans and the owner all made their way to congratulate Savarese for winning the storied club's first championship in more than three decades.
It mattered little that the triumph came in a small venue that could barely be called a stadium, where a small crowd of around 7,000 gathered to watch an Atlanta team in red and black lose a final to a Savarese-coached team clad in green.