Bleacher Report - Articles by Tomi Salvucci

Dodgers-Cubs: Game One Is in the Books

Tomi Salvucci — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:52:55 -0400

Game One down and we are still standing.

Even an early two-run set back could not keep the Dodgers from playing their game. Bunching up runs in the mid-to-late innings and letting the pitching take them home.

James Loney, with one swing, seemed to punch the wind out of the Wrigley faithful with his four-run bleacher deposit. With contributions from Manny Ramirez and Russell Martin late, the Dodgers took Game One from the much-heralded Cubs.

This game had a lot to choose from.

Starting with an early two-run homer that defied gravity to reach the right-field stands. The game's plot seemed to lean toward a dream start for the 100 years and suffering Cubs.

Then a wild Dempster, who walked seven on this night, loaded the bases with a walk and a slumping Loney connected on a 1-2 count to put the boys in blue ahead.

Then a Casey Blake RBI and two bombs from Manny and Martin sealed the deal, with wild thing Greg Maddux pulling it out in the ninth.

Did I just say Maddux pulled it out in the ninth?

For a team that has bowed out early in all of its previous playoff appearances since 1988, the move to pitch a battle-tested veteran in the ninth, who throws nothing but strikes, was complete brilliance in my book.

Joe Torre has made one of the best moves of the postseason by making that decision in the first game of the series.

Why leave the game in Broxton's hands. He pitched a good eighth. Why push him into a two-inning appearance and hope he floats without any damage. Not that I think he would have blown it, but he got his feet wet. That's the first step.

Maddux showing the way is part of the reason, in my opinion, he is in L.A. Torre making decisions that benefit the team is what made the Yankee's so successful, it wasn't just the bankroll he was provided. That's why we are here and New York is teeing off on the back nine in the morning.

Manny, Lowe, Maddux, Torre, Bowa. These are all winners who have been there before. They lead by example, and the youngsters are flourishing beneath them. Now, the series is not over, not by a long shot, but a start like this is better than what we are used to.

Right?

Do You Know Who the Best American Soccer Player Is?

Tomi Salvucci — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:10:46 -0400

Giuseppe Rossi is the best American soccer player.

Better than Freddy Adu, Landon Donovan, and Josmer Altidore.

Because he did not play professionally in America most people here don't know him that well.

Adu gets all the fan fare, and Altidore with his flashy goals in MLS, have been thrown to the top of the American ranks due to the fact that they have played for, and in, America. Rossi does not and has not internationally or professionally.

Rossi, born in Clifton, New Jersey, plays in Spain and would prefer to play internationally for Italy. His ranking nationality being Italian, his dream may come true.

For Spanish side Villarreal he netted 11 goals in 27 games last season. That was two more goals than Altidore scored for the New York Red Bulls of Americas MLS, and nine more than Adu posted for his previous club, Benfica.

Now, all three have tremendous talent. They all have specific traits that make them unique from each other. One thing they don't share in my eyes is drive.

Rossi committed his allegiance to Italy for hopes of some day playing for the Azzurri in international play. High hopes, I might add, considering that they are the defending World Cup champions.

Could Adu commit to playing and beating out the likes of a Pirlo, De Rossi, or a Gattuso? Could Altidore play to another level so he could push out a Toni or Del Piero from the starting eleven? Right now my answer is no.

You don't just jump into a league with giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona and have success as Rossi has had this quickly. Hard work is what propels great athletes to be more than what their potential dictates.

Thierry Henry scored only one more goal in 30 games just to put his accomplishments into perspective.

Now Josmer will have his chance to prove himself, but I think it will be hard for him to learn that in European football, space does not come easy and nor do goals.

As for Adu, he has immense talent. There is no denying that. He also has been dealt a tough road made harder by too many expectations at an early age. At this point if he had been cultivated properly he would be the center piece of this article. As you can read he is not.

As it goes, so does Rossi. Plotting along. Yes he got his call from Italy. He actually scored a goal in the Olympics against South Korea. He is now being referred to as the next great Azzurri forward.

So much for the American dream.

Robinho's Chelsea Deal Doesn't Feel Right

Tomi Salvucci — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:05:18 -0400

I must start this out by stating that I am a Chelsea fan. I want Robinho to become a Blue more than you know. It pains me to think this way, but I must speak my mind. With that being said, here we go.

In the current days of celebrity footballers and overpaid, under-talented, players why are we letting go of the principles of a deal. In this case, I mean a contract.

Robinho plays for one of the most-widely recognizable clubs in the world, Real Madrid. He makes approximately £70,000 a week, and has been a part of two consecutive league winning teams in Spain.

Now, he wants to go to West London and play for Chelsea? Am I missing something?

It's not that I think Chelsea don't deserve the best quality players in the world. It's not that I think we don't need him. It is that I don't think players respect the clubs they play for, and prey on the fact that they can push a team's hand into selling or releasing them.

When you sign a binding document saying your services belong to a particular company or sports team you must be made to honor it...PERIOD!

As I stated I am a Chelsea supporter. I went through this drama already this summer with Frank Lampard. I didn't like it then, and even with Robinho trying to leave the elitist side of Real Madrid, I don't like it now.

Lampard pushed until they finally gave him what he wanted. The only thing I took from that-is he wanted, in the end, to be secure in his future. He has done a lot for the club and vice-versa. I respect that even though it didn't seem to be the reason he was doing it to begin with.

In this case Madrid did themselves no favors by making remarks about how players should be free to leave teams if they are unhappy or have a desire to play for another team. They can't go backwards now. So they may be as much to blame here as well.

So in the end I will cheer Robinho from far. I will be in a grand mood when he scores a winning goal here and there. That does not mean I have to respect his actions on how he may become a Blue.

Where in the World Is Branislav Ivanovic?

Tomi Salvucci — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:46:43 -0400

Branislav Ivanovic. The man, the myth, the legend. Does he exist? If so, where is he?

After extensive research through piles of files and news clippings and thousands of MySpace pages, I finally found him. Here's the scoop...

Ivanovic was born in Sremka Mitrovica on February 22, 1984. He supposedly plays football in West London for a team named Chelsea. From info I have uncovered, he was purchased by the club for £10 million from Lokomotiv Moscow in January of this year.

So why was it so hard to track him down?

Stats wise he doesn't exist. In fact, he hasn't played one game for Chelsea since his transfer.

Finding him was made even harder due to the fact that he is piled below tons of talent. With names like John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Alex, Paulo Ferreira, Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa, and Wayne Bridge on top of said pile, Ivanovic simply disappeared.

Not that the people I have identified don't deserve to be on top. Each is linked to top international teams, and one of the names is actually a captain of his country's team.

So, does he have a right to be unhappy? Yes!

As do we the fans. We want to see cups, league titles, and all the glory Europe has to offer.

I understand the reason why he may not start. I also understand a bad business move when I see one.

Why pay so much for someone, and never use them? No normal person would do this. A billionaire would, though.

Don't get me wrong, it's not the owner's fault. The coaches ultimately reserve the right to pick the starting XI. So what is going on that he is continually left out of the mix?

This is a fresh team in big games, wins, cups, and league titles. The international players on this squad play tons of games each year. Traveling from country to country supporting their...country? Then back to play a half meaningless game versus Stoke or Hull city. Why not let the boy play in some of those games?

If he is sent to AC Milan, then the team has done him and the fans a tremendous injustice. Not that Milan is not worthy of him—quite the contrary. They could make a great player out of him, and whenever they get back to the Champions League we will feel his wrath.

So I hope the words from management are true, and he is part of their long-term plans. If not, more young talent will slip away from the EPL.

He obviously has something in the tank, or it would not have taken £10 million to get him.

Having talent is good but having a lot of talent is better by far.

Any early predictions on who will win the EPL this year? Fernando Torres has one

Tomi Salvucci — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:06:16 -0400

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool. In that order as well. Manchester United and Chelsea have dominated the rankings the last four years, so who will step up and challenge them for English supremacy?

Arsenal seems to be the pick and Liverpool has not won the Premier League since the 1989-90' season.

So who do I pick to win the Premier League this year? Well that's simple. Liverpool of course.

Why you ask? Because Fernando Torres said so.

In there triumphant home return after winning Euro 2008, he proclaimed his team would win the Premier League this season. Saturday saw him take his first step in making that a reality.

Slotting home a 22 yard goal past the diving Craig Gordon, which barely tucked inside the left goal post I might add, he began his journey which he hopes will bring glory and the Premier League title back to Liverpool this season.

He could have had two on this day if not for a communication error with new partner Robbie Keane on what would have been a sure tap in.

Seeing these two early on was odd to say the least. Though as the game progressed, and the rest of the team caught up, they started to tighten up. Even with the miscue no harm was done to either forward as they both continued their pursuits of a game winner.

Torres has shown his ability on the big stage. He is now showing his ability to lead on the field for one of the most decorated clubs in Europe. Eventually Gerrard will fade and he will wear the arm-band.

For now we will sit and marvel someone who is slowly becoming one of the most feared strikers in the game.

As for the Liverpool prediction, he said it I didn't.

Does David Beckham really make a difference?

Tomi Salvucci — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:54:45 -0400

He came here to promote soccer in the US. That only happens if he wins, and right now he is failing at both.

Why do we need David Beckham to help grow soccer in America? A 30-something Beckham is as interesting as an 80-year old Spice Girl.

It's a novelty, and the novelty is wearing off.

I know I, and everyone else, thought he would bring credibility to the MLS. He hasn't.

When Ronaldinho was asked if the rumors of him joining forces with Becks in LA, he laughed it off. He pretty much said, no chance in hell.

No matter what Beckham accomplishes in MLS, Europe will not respect us. I personally agree with that. They have history, tradition, passion for the game, which we do not.

So how do we grow the game in this country? What can we do to fix this?

We can't.

It's not because people in America don't like or appreciate the game. I watch the Premier League every week as well as Champions League and Series A. Millions of other Americans do as well.

I live near a soccer complex that has 14 fields and an indoor facility that is packed year round. So there is potential for growth. But what do those kids have to look forward to?

At best they play high school or college soccer and hope MLS throws them a bone. There are no European coaches running through the college ranks to find the next great Series A or Bundesliga striker.

The only way to gain respect for American soccer is to win. Winning changes alot of minds.

Internationally we are not up to par, and our Olympic team bowed out of the first round of the games without any fan fare. Our young talent held their own initially but that mentality needs to be thrown out the window.

To win in international play we need someone who understands the game that is played in Europe and Brazil. England has an Italian coach, Portugal had a Brazilian coach. Why can't we?

Our young players are migrating away as well. Players like Guissepi Rossi, Jose Altidore, and Freddy Adu. Rossi won't even entertain the thought of playing for the US and dreams only of a chance to play for Italy. Who can blame him?

We need to contend on the big stage for multiple years. Go deep in the World Cup, or contend in the Olympics. Winning changes hearts and minds.

That's how the women's team burst onto the seen. They are contenders, if not favorites, in every tournament around the world they enter. That helps big.

As much as we want to be proud of the product we place on the field I would think we would be able to stuff our pride to get our players trained by the best available coach in the world. Not just the best available coach in America.

So in the end its not all Becks fault, but he sure ain't helpin'.

Can Chelsea Be All They Can Be, Or Will Another Season Slip Away?

Tomi Salvucci — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:24:08 -0400

In the 2007/08 season, Manchester United stole its second consecutive Premiership title and slipped away, literally, with a shootout win in the Champions League title game. Leaving captain, John Terry, in tears wondering what might have been.

Manchester United have nothing to prove. Terry and the Blues do.

Where to start?

Grant out, Scolari in. The beautiful game in London sounds a bit far fetched, but there is no denying this teams overall talent. With so much talent available we could be seeing history in the making or a complete and utter mess. Can you say Grand-Slam or bust?

But I digress.

Championships always start and end with defense, and Chelsea have that. With the addition of Jose Bosingwa this team may be better defensively and offensively than in previous campaigns. Returning players Ricardo Carvalho, Alex, Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge, Paulo Ferreira, and captain Terry this team can play defensively with any team in the world. Loaded with international team players, no one is lacking experience in this group.

The problem here is the midfield. With the signing of Deco, the make-up of the offense changes automatically. He and Frank Lampard should make for a formidable pair in the center of the pitch. They will be able to dictate pace against most of the teams in the Premiership and probably in the Champions League as well.

Michael Essien seems to figure in the first team plans as he has been signed to a longer term deal leaving the rest of us to ponder who the fourth midfielder could be. Whether or not the club gets Robinho or Kaka is irrelevant since they already have too many quality options. Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Flourent Malouda, John Michael Obi, and Shaun Wright-Phillips are all in the bullpen.

Early indications point surprisingly to Wright-Phillips. He has impressed Scolari in training and in game situations with his pace and attacking ability from the wing.

Could we finally see what everyone else saw when he was brought in as a wide-eyed youngster? I hope so. It was rumored early that he was about to be transferred, but the team may have no option but to hold on to him.

At this point I don't think you can cry over any of the players listed above. This really may be the best fit in the four-four-two formation that has been proposed. The big question is where does Joe Cole fit?

If the four-three-three set-up catches steam, then Cole could figure in a more forward position on the left attacking side. He also could figure in a potential transfer before the end of August sending him to possible suitors Liverpool or Aston Villa.

They could go to a Three-Five-Two to take advantage of all the midfield talent, but how likely is that? That would also waste the talent they have on the back end.

By now your thinking that all these players are great, but who is responsible for putting the ball in the back of the net? Well I will tell you.

In the absence of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka has filled in with marvelous enthusiasm. In five preseason games he had six goals—netting four against Italian powerhouse AC Milan. If he can gain a cohesive partnership with Drogba, watch out.

With Drogba's power and peskiness and Anelka's speed on attack, they could be lethal this year. However, you could also get last years Anelka. You know the one who couldn't pick up his captain by slotting home a penalty in Moscow to extend the teams hopes for a Champions League title. Yeah, that one.

If this does not work out there are options. Solomon Kalou has played well in preseason and looks to be perfect for the teams new attacking style.

Behind him pick your disappointment. Andriy Shevchenko and Claudio Pizzaro have not shown a glimpse of what Chelsea had hoped they were getting when they put up the funds to bring them to The Bridge. Pizzaro may not even be here by the end of the transfer window, as he is the most likely target to get chopped.

The player to watch this year is Franco Di Santi and his progression with the first team. The youngster is playing well and scored a goal in his first action with the Blues. As with teams like AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Barcelona, youth seems to be the word of the day.

AC Milan's Alexandre Pato, Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli, and Barcelona's Bojan Krkic are all looking to be used more prominently in there teams plans. It is time the Premier League teams catch on to this. I think they will with players like Theo Walcott and Di Santi possibly making an impact this year as well, but if youth is not cultivated and featured more, this league has no chance of competing with the flair of the Spanish and Italian leagues.

All in all, Chelsea have a solid shot to contend in the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Carling Cup, and the Premiership. So a Grand-Slam is possible with all the talent and options, however, it is very unlikely. You can't blame a guy for dreaming. Hopefully none of these title runs ends in a shootout.