Q&A With Cosmos Coach Giovanni Savarese

Giovanni Savarese has led the New York Cosmos to two NASL titles in the past three years. Savarese, a native of Venezuela starred in college at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY. After winning The Championship Final last November, he now leads a team that lost the Spanish stars Raúl and Marcos Senna to retirement. He has retooled his roster and spoke with Jack Bell of NASL.com ahead of the start of the NASL’s 2016 Spring Season.

Bell: You were recently honored with a couple of soccer-related awards in the New York area. What was that all about?

Savarese: There were three. The first one, LIU is in the NCAA Northeast Conference, and they inducted me into the conference’s Hall of Fame. I was thrilled. I’m the first male soccer player to be inducted. It was great. The second one was at the New York Soccer Gala. I was honored for my contribution to New York soccer. Then the last one was from the Long Island Junior Soccer League. I was also inducted in their Hall of Fame of Long Island soccer for participation with the Rough Riders. It’s been a nice few months with the three awards. I’m very content.

Bell: After having won two NASL titles in three years, what do you do for an encore?

Savarese: First of all, you must understand that last season is in the past. We are starting from the beginning, as always for us, we look forward, not back. Whatever we did last year is part of a season that has already passed. You have to focus and be hungry to win games, to push to higher standards. We are demanding, we push ourselves to arrive in the best condition possible. In the preseason we make sure we are getting ready mentally.

Bell: What is the highest priority on the list in terms of preparation?

Savarese: It’s never changed since the first day. We created an identity, we have a philosophy. Yes we change formations and players, but the idea stays the same. We look at the opposition and plan how we’re going to play on that weekend. It’s never changed since Day 1. It’s never going to change. We’ve won two championships in three years. We have been the same since we started the project. For me, it’s about us creating a style.

Bell: As the defending NASL Champion and as a club carrying the Cosmos name, do you think every opponent has the game against you guys marked on the calendar?

Savarese: It is normal. Everyone knows the history of the Cosmos. We’re probably still the most-known team from America overseas. Everyone knows the history of this club in this country. I think that whenever anyone faces this name, this team, I think it’s always something special. It’s more that they want to prove themselves in a special game. The opposition tries to bring the best to their performance against us. Every league in the world has these types of clubs like the Cosmos. Our history led to that. But we go about games the same way. We understand teams comes against us, eager to perform in the best possible way. This league overall has become more competitive, every game is competitive, not just when teams play us.

Bell: Raúl and Marcos Senna both retired after winning the championship last year. Of course that changes the team, but how?

Savarese: First of all I have to say that those two players are irreplaceable. There is no one, for me, who could match up with Senna or Raúl. Their experience, quality, and personalities are unique. It was a privilege to have them, two quality players. Right now we are a different team. We’ve brought in players we feel give us a lot. They give us the depth that we’re looking for and build up a team that can compete. We have a good base from years past, a lot of interesting and talented players. We’re younger, but with experienced players battling in every position. When we went out this time we didn’t look to the past in terms of big stars. Raúl and Senna will be remembered for what they’ve done. They will forever be members of the Cosmos.

Bell: What was your intention in obtaining new players, was it big names or something else?

Savarese: I’ve always said I wanted to make sure we went out to bring in good players and good people who are committed to the project and understand what kind of club we want to be. If there was a name attached that is fine. I think we brought in interesting players this year, Raúl and Marcos were and are quality people and players. You always go out to scout quality players and people. If they have a name fine, if not, that’s OK, too. We’ve got some interesting guys in [Yohandry] Orozco, [David] Ochieng, Michael [Lahoud]. We have national team players participating with their teams or looking to participate. Our youngsters want to grow rapidly. I’m excited about this year. I think we have a good group.

But to replicate what we were in the past is impossible. We have to be ourselves, we have to make peace with the past, and be proud of this new team and the return of the club. There are some things that will always be attached to the Cosmos that we can’t change. Part of that is diversity and representing New York with a team that not only thinks of winning but tries to represent in the best way. It’s always been our promise to ourselves and to this club. We want it to be an experience when people come and watch. Having people in the stadium is important. We have to make it a priority that people are enjoying themselves and that they understand they are part of a family, a club that is making a decision from the soccer field to be respected in what we do, and one that has good ethics and respects teams and the sport we compete in. We want to continue and build on what the Cosmos had in a past.

Bell: I’m sure I’m not the only one who has commented on the sheer number of guys you have fighting for playing time. Right now I see 10 defenders and nine midfielders on the roster. How can you – or can you – keep everyone happy?

Savarese: It all goes in combination. What’s most important is how you can make each position more competitive and have depth at the same time. When you have depth you’re prepared for any situation, injuries, Open Cup, the NASL season, international call-ups. By the same token you want competition in each position to push players to become better. We will always have another player looking to take someone’s position, and for me that’s important to raise the level of everyone. Also for me it is important to have versatility with players in different positions.

Right now we’re fortunate to have players in positions in which they are comfortable, though some could play in a variety of places. That suits their capability and that’s why we selected them to play for us. Many times you will face a situation where you have to change quickly. In the game against San Jose Lahoud played as a center back. It was a necessity and won’t be happening too many times. The good thing is that even in that case the mentality of the players was to be open to play in any spot we need them to play.

Bell: The Cosmos have been successful recently in signing a number of U.S. youth internationals. Is that something that’s important to you and to the club?

Savarese: For me it is very important to have youngsters, for different reasons. When we first committed to this project we also became committed to helping soccer in the U.S. A key to that is player development for our national teams. It is important to have the right environment for youngsters to mature quicker and produce more, be more prepared, to be more influential with the national team. Also, each club wants to be serious and you need to be prepared because the youngsters are the future of each club. The players we have now are thanks to our decision to bring in Haji [Wright] last year, which then made us able to sign Alexis [Velela] and then [Eric] Calvillo. They are able to come in and play next to important players, so they can grow and compete for a position, they’re not here only to train. We are most definitely going to stay committed to that.

Bell: We know you’re always reluctant to single out any particular player, but who has impressed you among the new signings during the preseason?

Savarese: I always tell you the reality, what I really believe, and that is that I’m very pleased with all the new players, their commitment, and willingness to participate and adapt. I hope they are content to be a part of the New York Cosmos. They are all improving rapidly. For me the most important thing is to continue to form the group and continue to grow. Our depth will make us all better. I’ve seen that from the beginning. I’ve been able to change lineups and players and the guys have done a tremendous job. For me, I never put one player above the group. They all have come in and looked good.

Bell: Are you concerned about losing players during Copa America?

Savarese: Probably, that’s why it’s so important to have depth. Mostly likely [Yasmani] Duk from Bolivia, and Orozco from Venezuela. I think he played in the Copa [2011 in Argentina].

Bell: There are now three quality professional teams in the New York area. Is the competition among them good for the game?

Savarese: It’s a good thing definitely. It makes everything better, it makes all of us better. We’ve seen the number of people in the area who love soccer. To have three professional clubs, it is fantastic to have clubs around who can play against each other in the Open Cup. And to have people go against each other as fans, wearing the colors of their clubs. That’s what makes soccer grow. Personally I’m very content with the situation. It gives us a moment to measure ourselves when we play them.