D.C., Columbus clash for top spot in East

Soccer Betting Lines

07/03/2009 - Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United coach Tom Soehn was excited to have last weekend off in MLS and thinks the Eastern Conference leaders are refreshed for Saturday's trip to the Columbus Crew, even though they continued defense of their U.S. Open Cup title Tuesday.

United lost for just the second time in its last 12 games in its last MLS game, 3-0 at the Colorado Rapids, and used the off week to rest and defeated the PDL Ocean City Barons City 2-0 on Tuesday.

"We need a break right now," Soehn said after the loss to Colorado. "That's the point we're at. We need to get some guys rest, and we're going to use that time to get everybody where they need to be."

Soehn didn't use his top squad for the U.S. Open Cup match, which will be key this weekend with veteran Jaime Moreno out, Luciano Emilio questionable, Fred probable, and Dejan Jakovic (Canada) and Santino Quaranta (U.S.) playing in the Gold Cup.

D.C. (5-3-8) has just one win away from RFK Stadium but is 1-3-4 overall on the road. United will try to maintain its lead in the Eastern Conference at Crew Stadium, where Columbus (5-3-7) is unbeaten in seven matches this season.

The Crew are one of four unbeaten teams at home - United, Houston and Colorado are the others - and can overtake United for the top spot this weekend with a win.

Columbus is also hurt by the Gold Cup, with Chad Marshall - who scored the lone goal in its 1-0 win over Red Bull New York last week - and Robbie Rogers absent to play for the United States.

In addition, Adam Moffat is out through injury, but luckily the Crew welcomed back right back Frankie Hejduk and goalie Will Hesmer last weekend. Midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo was rested last week also, so he should be fresh.

Hejduk was playing for the first time in six games and for just the fourth time all season because of injuries and U.S. national team duty.

"It's tough always getting back into the swing of things," Hejduk said. "You have to pace yourself, I'm still trying to get my fitness back and I think I'm about 90 percent."

Hesmer made his first appearance in 10 games and posted the Crew's second clean sheet in four matches.

Columbus also played mid-week, and was eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup with a penalty-kick loss to the Rochester Rhinos. The Crew are on a roll in MLS though and despite the close scoreline against struggling New York, have just one loss in their last 11 MLS games.

"I think [New York] came to Columbus to get a point. We created a couple of chances especially with our set pieces," Columbus coach Robert Warzycha said. "Basically in the end of the first half we got a goal which was huge for us. In the second half we created a few chances and I have to say in the end of the game I wasn't worried too much."

Sothevys Soccer Betting News

<< Cano, A-Rod homer as Yankees top Toronto
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez each homered as the New York Yankees doubled up Toronto, 4-2, in the opener of a four-game set. Mark Teixeira added a hit and an RBI for the Yankees, who have won eight of

<< Turkoglu to join Blazers
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sharp-shooting forward Hedo Turkoglu is leaving Orlando for the Great Northwest, reportedly coming to terms on a five- year, $50 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Oregonian newspap

<< Reds activate 3B Encarnacion from DL
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cincinnati third baseman Edwin Encarnacion was activated from the 60-day disabled list prior to Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Encarnacion had been on the DL since late April due to a chip

<< New York hopes to snap losing skid at Dallas
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York ends a tough seven-match streak Saturday night at FC Dallas, hoping to snap a nine-game winless skid and a road losing stretch that dates back to last season. New York (2-12-4) contests its six

<< Sturridge secures Chelsea switch
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Highly-rated Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge has completed his transfer to FA Cup winners Chelsea. The 19-year-old, who has penned a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, will join up the rest

Daytona qualifying rained out, Stewart awarded pole >>
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rain washed out Friday's qualifying session for the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. A thundershower moved over the 2.5-mile track shortly before the start of qualifying. Track

Bases-loaded walk sends Cubs over Brewers in 10 innings >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jake Fox drew a bases loaded walk, scoring Ryan Theriot in the bottom of the 10th inning, as the Chicago Cubs edged the Milwaukee Brewers, 2-1, in the second of a four-game set at Wrigley Field. Theriot

Woods shoots 66 to lead AT&T National >>
Bethesda, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods nourished his momentum with a handful of scrambling par saves, shooting a four-under 66 on Friday to take the second-round lead at the AT&T National. Woods finished two trips around Con

Ramirez apologizes on night of return to Dodgers >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez spoke to the media Friday, prior to making his scheduled return to the majors following his 50-game suspension. Ramirez is expected to be in the starting

Bowyer captures pole for Daytona Nationwide race >>
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After a lengthy rain delay, Clint Bowyer won the pole for Friday's Subway Jalapeno 250 Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Bowyer, the 2008 Nationwide champion, lapped the

MySportsbook.com week 1 NFL lines


Now that the 2008 NFL schedule is finally out, it is only matter-of-course for lines on “Week 1” to follow.  Of course MySportsbook.com is the first to churn out odds for the NFL’s inaugural week for the upcoming season.   Expect a lot of fireworks the first Thursday night of the season as the defending champion Indianapolis Colts face off against the surprise of the 2008 season, the New Orleans Saints.  These teams were ranked #1 and #3 in the NFL respectively a season ago so a high scoring affair could be in order.  As of now, the Colts will be giving 6 points to the Saints; keep in mind the Saints were one of the better road teams last season going 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS.  The first Monday night of the season will again provide a “double feature”. Coming off a disappointing season, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to get back to playoffs and improve their public image as they take on the AFC North favorite Baltimore Ravens.  The second game features a couple of teams that haven’t had too much success recently but each could make some noise if the NFC is as weak as it was last year as the San Francisco 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals. The most interesting game of the opening week will feature the NFC champion Bears as they hit the road to take on the NFL’s top team during last year’s regular season, the San Diego Chargers.

MySportsbook.com Week 1 odds:

Saints +6 @ Colts -6

Falcons @ Vikings (pick ‘em)

Panthers @ Rams (pick ‘em)

Broncos -3.5 @ Bills +3.5

Chiefs -1 @ Texans +1

Dolphins +3 @ Redskins -3

Patriots -5 @ Jets +5

Eagles -3.5 @ Packers +3.5

Steelers -4 @ Browns +4

Titans +6 @ Jaguars -6

Bears +6 @ Chargers -6

Lions +3 @ Raiders -3

Bucs +6.5 @ Seahawks -6.5

Giants +4 @ Cowboys -4

Ravens +3 @ Bengals -3

Cardinals +3 @ 49ers -3

 Super Bowl line (2008)

NFC +6.5 vs. AFC -6.5

MySportsbook is a large, publicly traded company with strong financial backing. You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.

According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
    
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''

Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.