When the New York Cosmos play Miami FC on Saturday, all eyes will be on the field. One of the biggest contests, however, will be on the sidelines.

 

Few successful players go on to match those achievements as coaches. Cosmos Head Coach and Sporting Director, Giovanni Savarese, and Miami FC Head Coach, Alessandro Nesta, are two of the exceptions.

 

Savarese, who played as a forward, made his mark in the US, England and his native Venezuela. He began his career at Deportivo Italia (now Petare FC) in Caracas, before coming to the US to play college soccer at Long Island University. He maintained his form in the off-season by playing for the Greek American AA in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, where he scored 31 goals in 45 appearances.

 

Savarese's post-college career took off in the USISL, the top league in America at the time. He joined the Long Island Rough Riders in 1994. A year later, he led the team to the league title. After scoring hat-tricks in the playoffs and semifinals, Savarese led the Rough Riders to victory in the final against the Minnesota Thunder, netting in the game-winner with six seconds to go.

 

In 1996, Savarese was drafted by the NY/NJ MetroStars (currently the New York Red Bulls). He made history once again, scoring the MetroStars' first goal in their inaugural game against the Los Angeles Galaxy. He later scored the team's first hat-trick in their first regulation win, a 3-0 triumph over the Colorado Rapids. Savarese totaled 44 goals in 90 regular and post-season appearances, becoming the club's top-scorer, a record that would last for 11 years before being broken by Juan Pablo Ángel.

 

Savarese continued his goal-scoring prowess at the New England Revolution, tallying 10 goals in 27 regular season appearances. He briefly returned to Venezuela, scoring three times for Deportivo Táchira. His career then took him to Italy, where he was loaned by Perugia to Serie C side, Viterbese. Joining San Jose Earthquakes in 2000, Savarese made four appearances before being loaned out to Swansea City. At Swansea, the Venezuelan forward did what he does best, becoming the club's top scorer in the 2000-01 season with 11 goals in 31 games.

 

Savarese re-joined his boyhood club in Venezuela, then called Deportivo Italchacao, in 2002, scoring six goals in 22 appearances. He ended his playing career at the team that kicked it off, getting five goals in 10 games for the Long Island Rough Riders.

 

Like Savarese, Alessandro Nesta made a good transition from playing to coaching. A highly skilled center back, Nesta spent the first nine years of his professional career at Lazio, making a total of 261 appearances across all competitions. He helped the club win multiple domestic titles, including the 1994-95 Spring Championship, the 1999-2000 Serie A title, two Italian Cups, and two Super Cups. Nesta also picked up two European trophies – the 1998-99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and 1999 Super Cup.

 

A 10-year stint at Milan resulted in even more silverware for Nesta. In addition to winning two Serie A tournaments, an Italian Cup, and two Super Cups, Nesta took home two Champions League trophies, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup. He made 326 appearances for Milan, scoring 10 times for the Italian giants.

 

Nesta spent the last two years of his career at Montreal Impact and Chennaiyin FC. He played 31 games with the MLS side, adding the 2013 Canadian Championship to his trophy collection. Three appearances with Indian club, Chennaiyin FC, and a league title marked the end of an illustrious playing career.

 

Savarese and Nesta were also successful at the national team level, featuring for Venezuela and Italy, respectively. Savarese netted in 10 goals in 30 appearances for La Vinotinto, earning caps in the national team's 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaigns.

 

Nesta was capped 78 times for Italy, lifting the 2006 World Cup with Gli Azzurri.

 

After hanging up their boots, Savarese and Nesta took to coaching in the NASL. Savarese has been at the helm of the Cosmos since their return in the 2013 season, leading the team to three Championships in four years. Nesta joined the newly-established Miami FC in 2015, winning the team's first silverware, the 2017 Spring Championship, earlier this year.

 

The Cosmos will host Miami FC to kick off the 2017 Fall Season on Saturday, July 29 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, click here.

 

Use Promo Code “COMMUNITY” to receive 50% off your ticket order for July 29th. This would include all available seats, with ticket prices available at $7.50 to $25. Great seats, and huge savings!