As the Portland Timbers progressed through the recent MLS is Back Tournament, the media began focusing on one aspect of head coach Giovanni Savarese’s track record.
At his previous job with North American Soccer League’s New York Cosmos, Savarese’s team reached four finals in five seasons, winning three times. The Cosmos also had success in the annual U.S. Open Cup, eliminating MLS teams from the competition three times during Savarese’s four tournaments in charge. Add Portland’s runs to the 2018 MLS Cup final and the 2019 U.S. Open Cup semifinal and Savarese’s record in knockout round competitions stands out.