2022 MLS ALL-STAR GAME: MLS ALL-STARS VS LIGA MX ALL-STARS

August 10, 2022

Diego Cocca

LIGA MX All-Stars

Allianz Field

Press Conference

MLS All-Stars 2, Liga MX All-Stars 1

DIEGO COCCA: We have seen today that MLS was better today at some points in time, Liga MX was better. This is soccer, you know. MLS won today. We had many opportunities. We played very well. There is no big difference, there is no big gap between both leagues, and this rivalry is good. You can grow when your rival is good. México is strong and the U.S. is strong as well, and that's good.

Q. What do you think of the lessons the players learned from you, sharing these days with you, your staff? What do you think they learned from you in this couple of days?

DIEGO COCCA: Well, we should ask them. I learned many things; having the possibility to chat with many players, very important players with a great career, to be able to share concerns that they ask me, that I ask them how they deal with situations, how the coaches work in their clubs. I learned a lot.

I met beautiful people that I am going to continue seeing them on the pitch, but I'm going to see them from a different perspective.

Q. How difficult was it to manage this time so that you are able to have all the players to play?

DIEGO COCCA: I spoke with them to see how they were feeling and what they wanted to do, and they were willing to play. That's very important, valuable. We trained for two days. There was a lot of fraternity. They were supporting each other and we tried to do our best for the team, for them. They are happy, no injuries.

There are some players that are going to stay today but they have games in a couple of days, so the players on the club were concerned about that.

We had a great game. Like I said to the boys, this is a great experience, and especially we got to meet and know each other.

Q. We are not going to go to a discussion about MLS and Liga MX. What do you think about this result considering Liga MX, CONCACAF, etc.? This was a friendly game and both teams were willing to win this game. Where should this discussion go?

DIEGO COCCA: Just like I said recently, rivalries can grow. If you have a strong rival, you can grow. You can get better, and both leagues can grow like this. And I think that the parameter is going to be the CONCACAF Champions League.

We came here and they lost. They can go there and they can lose. For example, at the Jalisco Park, the result could be different.

Q. I wanted to ask you, what you spoke with them these couple of days about the tactics, strategy, etc. Did you believe that they implement that on the game in the first half and the second half?

DIEGO COCCA: We didn't speak about tactics. You know, before going out to the pitch, it's very challenging. You know, in the training sessions, I just wanted them to have fun when they come to this game, to play for one half. They all played for one half, and that was it. Because remember, this is a prize. We started with a golden ball. Those who had the possibility to win came. Some were injured.

This is a prize, and a prize for many of them, a recognition. I think that this is a great experience for them. Some of them got to know each other for the first time. I felt very comfortable chatting with these guys. It is very difficult to spend time with them if they are not in your club. This was a great opportunity.

Q. Changing gears, in one month you will go to New York to play the New York team. New York City has the same problem. They are working on the weekends, and then a classic versus the Red Bull three days later. Is this an important game when you consider what is going on in the Liga MX, what you are trying to prepare your team?

DIEGO COCCA: This is very difficult. It is very important. We are playing versus the U.S. champion at last. Never had this possibility before. So for us, this is history and that's why this is a very important game for us.

As the local championship for us, we will try to be competitive in both competition. We have had some challenges, but we are going to work to overcome that. We still have one more, and we are already thinking about that game.

Q. Like you said, this is a prize for you, the Liga's Cup was confirmed recently, the Liga MX and the MLS, do you think this is something positive for both leagues?

DIEGO COCCA: Of course, no doubt. Once again, we are going to have great games to substitute. The Mexican clubs can invest in infrastructure, in the team, and get used to play every three days.

What I think is exactly that. If we have a competitive league, the other one should be at the same level and they both grow at the same time. So this is great.

Q. What was your experience today with this game? Would you like to come back and play after what you have saw -- or you have seen on the pitch, Mexican and U.S. talent at the same time on the pitch?

DIEGO COCCA: I really loved this possibility. First, the plan, the call of the players to select this talent. This was very hard. This was hard.

After welcoming them and training them, to me, that was a pleasure, you know, to have so many talented players at the same time together, and I really had fun. I tried to have fun all the time. The team played very well. We had many goal opportunities. This was what we wanted. We did a role, we played a role. Once again, we are growing. This is improving, and we want to repeat this over and over again.

Q. I would like to ask you about the score of Liga MX, what is your experience -- what is your conclusion of Kevin scoring that goal?

DIEGO COCCA: Kevin is great to me. He's a great player. I spoke with him. He's young. He has a lot to do and to grow. He's in a club which is very demanding. He's playing very well. He's focused. It is a pleasure to be able to work with him.

As a coach, you want to play with talented players with a winning mindset.

Q. Considering the other team, the MLS team, what lessons have you learned, something that you can apply looking forward?

DIEGO COCCA: To me, it is clear that MLS players play in a very physical way. They are very fast. They are very strong. And you, as a coach, when you come to compete, you have to implement a strategy in order to try to win. So you are forced to grow and be better, not only physically but also you should understand the game and their proposal of the game.

It was great. I learned a lot. I'm sure in one month we will be in New York trying to apply those lessons.