2021 MLS CUP: PORTLAND VS NEW YORK CITY

December 9, 2021

Sebastian Blanco

Diego Chará

Giovanni Savarese

THE MODERATOR: We welcome the Portland Timbers, Western Conference champions, manager, Giovanni Savarese, midfielder Sebasti�n Blanco and midfielder Diego Char�.

Coach, why don't you open us up here and say a few words about playing in front of your supporters on Saturday.

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: Good to see you, first of all. We are excited to be able to host the MLS Cup. It is a dream come true. As a coach, as a player, when you start the season, there's no better thing than hosting MLS Cup. Of course, winning is more important than anything else, but we want to welcome you to the City of Portland, and I believe it's going to be a great event because of what we are used to here in this stadium with our fans and the atmosphere that you are going to encounter.

We are very excited to host a MLS Cup, and we know we have a very good team to play against.

We have been working. The players have been very focused on their work and not in the distractions around, and we are very excited to be here and look forward to playing this game.

Q. Thank you for taking time today. Question for Gio and the players. Gio, as you said, the fans are going to be loud and energetic. What are the keys for training that you manage the emotions on the field? And you talk about how the team is best when you are united and together, but what's that look like on the field, and how does that image play out in the match?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: I think the first thing is we understand what we expect to see on the field in this event, the passion of our fans is unique. This place is going to be an amazing place that I think not only is going to show in the United States how much soccer has grown but I think it's going to be, for everyone watching internationally, a great event for what Portland is used to on a constant basis.

I think I'm very fortunate as a coach to have a group of players that they have been here before, and they have experience, and we have a lot of times, you know, our talk is to make sure that we are always very balanced emotionally in everything that we do.

And I trust that the players, because they have shown it this week already and past weeks, as well, that they know how to control these moments in a smart way. And that's why the confidence is there for the players to be able to focus on the feeling, and that's all.

DIEGO CHARA: During the season, we have difficult situations, up-and-down situations, and we start thinking to be together to go over those situations. I feel we did a really good job staying together, staying strong, playing our style of play. And I think because of that, we are here in this position to play the final.

SEBASTI�N BLANCO: I agree with Diego, of course. In the middle of the season, when we lost against Seattle at home, many people say that we are done. We are still thinking that we trust in us and we believe in us. We have too many good players, but we have a very good team.

So after that, we start winning and no one stop us. Of course, we lost many games in the final, but we still believe in us. And we come to this game because we work very hard. We had too many issues during the year, but we pass every struggle for our right to be there.

Q. Sebasti�n, how good does it feel to be healthy and able to play in this game after a scare earlier this season?

SEBASTI�N BLANCO: It's good. Good. After Colorado, I was almost out. So we talk about it, almost we have a right to this game.

So be part of this game and be part of this game is very important to me. But of course, no matter what happens on Saturday, if I can play or not, the important thing is it's important to be part, and we need to support our team, and whatever I need to support.

Q. As a former striker, how much confidence does a striker have to have, especially with all the ups and downs he goes through? And without giving too much away of your strategy, how do you limit or stop someone like Taty?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: When you are the Golden Boot, it means that you had a good season because every striker, the main target is to help the team to try to score as many goals as you can and have the confidence on the field to be able to score goals, and he's done that. He's a competitive player, and he's shown that during the season.

I believe that New York City is thinking the same thing about Mora and Niezgoda as we are thinking about Castellanos and the other few forwards that they have as well. And I think it's all part of the preparation that we are having, and both teams are trying to focus on that, plus all the other things that we have to focus, because New York City is not only the forward, as Portland is not only Mora and Niezgoda. It's a lot more players and that's why I think this game is going to be a very good game.

Q. It's been a difficult 18 months or so for everybody, but particularly here in Portland, you've had to overcome different challenges in the city. Speaking as Portlanders for all of you, how would you describe the emotional significance for what could happen on Saturday if you came through here?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: I think we have to think about, first, to be competitive. I think one big mistake that we cannot make is think afterwards without putting the work at the beginning, and the main focus is for us to arrive in this game at the best possible way to compete at the highest level because we want to achieve the goal to lift the trophy here in Portland. That's why we have been working so hard.

As you mentioned, this year, and they have said it many times, we had to go through a lot, a lot of different things, but you see the true character of your team in those difficult moments more than when things are going very well. And testament to the guys because they fought through it together, and we find ourselves here at the moment. God willing, we hope to be able to achieve the goal, and then we can talk about it after.

Q. In your time with the team, you have defeated three times New York City. How do you feel that you can achieve your fourth victory in your fourth season with an MLS Cup victory?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: You go into a big game with a desire to win. We are competitors. The players, the coaching staff, we all want to win.

But also, we understand that no game is the same. So even though we could have had success in the past against this team, that doesn't mean that this game is going to be the same. We have to put a new effort, a new performance, be really prepared because, as I said, no game is the same. And we do want to win this game, and we're coming here with, you know, all the strength that we can in order to achieve that.

Q. I know you have more than a few players you're focused on, but I wanted to focus on Diego Valeri. The reports suggest that this could be his good-bye to the fans, a place that he's such a legend. Could you speak on what that means, this moment, and is there a chance that we are all wrong and this is not his swan song, and what can you share?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: You are talking about a player that not only has transformed Portland, but also has been an important signing for Major League Soccer. He's been a true example of what a champion (ph) means, and he's made this league and this team be a better league and a better team.

So credit to Diego. Diego has been a great professional. Diego has been a great player. Also inside the locker room, he's been very good to everyone. The reality is that he's going to continue to compete, and he's very excited because, as Diego has said, living here for a few years, and we always envisioned this game to be played in Portland, and not only MLS Cup, but an MLS Cup in Providence Park.

So he's extremely excited. And I think the most important thing is to enjoy Diego Valeri at the moment. Everything that we see about Diego, the game that he's going to play, the final that he's participate, we have to enjoy it. And then I think we'll see what happens after.

I think right now, it's something that we probably will know more right after this game. But right now, he's a very important component of this team, and he's been a true legend for this club.

Q. Obviously it's always tough for a coach to change a winning team. Last time you were without Sebasti�n, and you had a great performance and players came in and did well. How do you assess your lineup decisions going into Saturday, and No. 10, how do you rate his game and what do you like about what he does?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: For my part, the trust of every player that I have is enormous. You know, a true testament to the players that came in, Moreno and Loria, last game. They performed very well, and there was no doubt on that, not only because I was behind them, supporting them, but also the players. And you had to see the conversations that they had, all the players with them to make sure that they performed.

So the preparations are as always, trying to make sure that we put the best competitive team from the beginning that we feel is the right team to be able to start; and the guys that are going to be on the bench, we know where they are going to be ready to perform when they come in.

Right now we are still making the final decisions because we have one more day in order to arrive to Saturday. So we'll be very well prepared as soon as we are going to step on the field.

Q. Gio, in addition to winning a championship on Saturday, if you guys do win, it also means a second straight year in the Concacaf Champions League. What would it mean to the Portland Timbers to be able to compete in a Concacaf Champions League for a second straight year and have another opportunity to transcend at the international level?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: Definitely that's motivation. That's one part that is into this moment and the desire for us to win. That's part of also what we feel that we want to participate again.

We did have big hopes this year to want it to go all the way. We encounter a difficult opposition which we gave everything that we had with a limited amount of players when we played America, here, home and away; unfortunately we couldn't go through.

But being able to represent the MLS again in the Concacaf Champions is a big desire and is a component of wanting to win this final, as well.

Q. I wanted to ask about Castellanos again. Defending him is one thing. I was wondering, dealing with the pressure he puts on your back line in particular, and you talk about preparation, is that a big part of what you need to focus on a little bit with the back group? He ends up winning a lot of balls for his club that the opponents have.

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: Castellanos is one important player, and they do have more than Castellanos. They have Rodr�guez, they have Medina, they have Maximiliano Moralez, they have Magno that comes from the bench. They have other guys from the bench, as well, that can change the game.

So we cannot concentrate only on one player. For us, the most important thing is to make sure that all the players in my team, they know every player that we are going to play against to know their strength, their weaknesses and the way we want to defend, the way we want to attack and have all the ideas clear in what they are going to encounter.

And definitely Castellanos is one of the players that is one of the most dangerous players that they have, and we've been working on making sure that my players know his characteristics, the things that he likes to do, and that way we can arrive to the end the most prepared that we can.

Q. For Sebasti�n, what are your fitness levels coming to this weekend, and how much might be you be prepared to play? And for Diego, is there some pressure on Portland this weekend but in a healthy way, knowing the situation elevates the club?

SEBASTI�N BLANCO: So, I'm ready. I'm okay. I feel good. So I prepare myself for this game. So I train with my team today, complete.

Now, of course, we still need to have conversation with Gio, but like I said before, so no matter what happens, important thing is to be ready for the game. Here, we decide after, but everything is good.

DIEGO CHARA: As a player, we always have pressure in every game. I feel this game, the final, is going to be special for everybody: Players, the fans, club. And I think we need to be ready for this opportunity, and try to do it, try to win the Cup.

Q. You mentioned not every game being the same. Scouting for this game, what do you believe are some of the similarities and differences are in just a little over a year ago, looking back at that game?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: Good question, they are a little bit different in the personnel that they have. Yes, they did, you know, play that time with similar style. I mean, you see some differences that time when we played them, and now, the way they have been playing in the past few games.

So I think you can look at some things from that time, but the reality is that you have to more look at the games that they have been playing in the past, you know, few weeks. Those games are more important.

And I think one component in this game, I think because now the new format of MLS, you don't have that many chances to play against east or west teams, so when you play with a west team, you know that team a little bit more because you have encountered them twice or three times.

Now, for this game, we have to do a little bit more research and make sure we look at more games. And in order for us to be prepared, there have to be bigger preparation from both teams to be able to know each other a little bit more.

I think what we saw back then in the MLS is Back tournament is not as important as what we have seen in these past few games that New York City has played.

Q. It's really a question for all three of you, but start with Gio. Can you describe what it's like to play a match here at Providence Park and what that advantage is like?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: I think they have been here longer than me so they can say how big this game is. This we have been waiting for. This is a dream come true. I think if you ask any coach, any player, any general manager, anyone that is part of a club in the United States, they want to play in the MLS Cup, and they want to be able to do it at home.

For us to be able to host this match, knowing the passion of our fans, the environment that Portland brings, it is unique. And also because we love this game, we want to see the game grow in the United States. I believe that being here in this stadium in this city will show very well for anyone that is going to watch this match. I think for the two teams that are going to be on the field, I think are two teams that are going to show well.

So we are extremely, extremely excited, extremely content. I am proud of the players for the work that they put in order for us to be here, and we focus on doing a lot of work because we want to make sure that we are as competitive as we can be because as soon as we step on the field, what matters to us is what we are going to try to achieve on the field.

DIEGO CHARA: I mean, I expect an amazing atmosphere. I think it's going to be a fantastic day to play soccer, and we are really excited to do it. I think everyone in the team is ready to do it.

SEBASTI�N BLANCO: The same, of course, when I arrived to this club, my wish and my dream was play a final with this team, win the MLS Cup. Had the opportunity in 2018. Unfortunately we couldn't do it.

But play at home is a unique possibility with our people. But we usually, we can see this stadium full because we have one of the best fans in MLS for sure. This stadium will be amazing like always, and we will be able to be ready to this game and take advantage for our people.

Q. You said that this is a dream come true, and you've seen it many times. Is this your Dream Team? Is this a team that is going to take the Cup?

GIOVANNI SAVARESE: I believe so, 100 percent. I mean, I believe so going into the game.

But you know, the reality is that I believe in the players, and I believe that we'll be very competitive, and we are going to fight hard, especially because this is our home. So we are well prepared. We have done a lot of work.

I see the guys coming in the day after we won last game, the conference. We practiced the next day, and the guys came in right away, excited, ready to put the work in to prepare ourselves for this game.

So I feel very lucky to have this group of players because it feels like a family more than a team.

THE MODERATOR: We thank the Portland Timbers for their participation in today's press conference. Thank you.