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02/20/2007 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While most Major League Soccer teams are slowly building their fitness and preparing for the upcoming season - which kicks off April 7 - two clubs are under considerably more pressure.
The Houston Dynamo, the 2006 MLS Cup holders, and D.C. United, the 2006 Supporter's Shield holders, are both scheduled to compete in CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg matches on Wednesday.
The Dynamo traveled to Costa Rica Monday, following a preseason match against the Chicago Fire on Sunday in Fla. at the Walt Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. The MLS title holders are scheduled to take on Central American Champion Puntarenas FC on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET at Miguel "Lito" Perez Stadium.
D.C. United traveled to Honduras for their first leg of their matchup against Club Deportivo Olimpia. Olimpia are usually contenders in the Honduran top flight and have won the Champions Cup twice, most recently in 1988. D.C. was the first MLS team to win the Champions Cup in 1998.
D.C. has a slight advantage with the addition of new striker Luciano Emilio, who will be making his United debut against his former club. His knowledge of the team as well as his ability to mesh with fellow offensive stars, Jaime Moreno and Christian Gomez, will be pivotal to United's chances on the international stage. Kickoff for this match will be at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Both matches figure to be tough early tests for the teams in hostile environments as they try to get into game shape. Following the away legs of the Champions Cup, Houston and D.C. will host respective second leg matches between Feb. 28 and March 1.
Below are the official rosters for the two MLS teams competing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup:
D.C. UNITED
Name (#, position): Troy Perkins (1, goalkeeper), Bryan Arguez (3, midfielder), Facundo Erpen (5, defender), Stanton Mediate (6, midfielder), Justin Moose (8, midfielder), Christian Gomez (10, midfielder), Luciano Emilio (11, attacker), John Wilson (12, defender), Ben Olsen (14, midfielder) Rodion Dyachenko (15, attack), Brian Carroll (16, midfielder), Joshua Gros (17, midfielder), Devon McTavish (18, midfielder), Clyde Simms (19, midfielder), Stephen DeRoux (21, midfielder), Jay Nolly (22, goalkeeper), Jamil Walker (23, attacker), Jeffrey Carroll (24, midfielder), Bryan Namoff (26, midfielder), Robert Boswell (32, defender), Jaime Moreno (99, attacker).
Head coach: Tom Soehn.
HOUSTON DYNAMO
Name (#, position): Zachary Wells (1, goalkeeper), Eddie Robinson (2, defender), Kevin Goldthwaite (3, defender), Patrick Ianni (4, defender), Ryan Cochrane (5, defender), Kelly Gray (6, midfielder), Chris Wondolowski (7, midfielder), Paul Dalglish (8, attacker), Brian Mullan (9, midfielder), Bradley Davis (11, midfielder), Julian Nash (12, attacker), Ricardo Clark (13, midfielder), Dwayne DeRosario (14, midfielder), Alejandro Moreno (15, attacker), Craig Waibel (16, defender), Mike Chabala (17, midfielder), Patrick Onstad (18, goalkeeper), Johnathon Michael Hayden (19, midfielder), Stuart Holden (22, midfielder), Mpho Moloi (23, midfielder), Wade Barrett (24, defender), Brian Ching (25, attacker), Jordan James (26, midfielder).
Head coach: Dominic Kinnear.
<< Leopold out four weeks for Avs
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jordan Leopold
will be sidelined approximately four weeks with a fractured wrist.
Leopold, who will undergo surgery, suffered the injury during the third period
of Colorado's 7-
<< Celtics send Ray to D-League
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics assigned rookie guard
Allan Ray to their NBA Development League affiliate in Austin.
Ray is the team's first assignment to the NBA Development League this season
and the 19th NBA pla
<< 76ers still alive for lottery
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - All it takes is a dollar and a dream for a select few to
strike it rich in the lottery.
But in order for the Philadelphia 76ers to start raking in the loot, they have
to bag the rest of the 2006-07 season and start ev
<< Cowboys sign Gurode to six-year deal
Irving, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Cowboys signed offensive lineman
Andre Gurode to a six-year contract on Tuesday.
Gurode started all 17 games last season for the Cowboys and was added to the
Pro Bowl as an injury replacement f
This Week in Auto Racing February 23 - February 25 >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - From one coast to the other the NASCAR
caravan pulls into the Los Angeles area for week No.2 of 36. For those that
had a tough time in the restrictor-plate race at Daytona its back to un-
restric
Blackhawks activate F Bourque >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks activated forward Rene
Bourque on Tuesday.
Bourque missed the past 21 games with a crack in his ankle. He was assigned to
the team's AHL affiliate in Norfolk for conditioning purpose
Kings get chance to be spoilers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While the Los Angeles Kings are all but out of this year's
playoff race, they will get an opportunity to put a damper on some other
team's chances as well.
This past weekend, the Kings managed to split a home-and-home seri
Forsberg's impact on Predators not reflected in his stats >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In two games as a member of the Nashville Predators, Peter
Forsberg has yet to record a point. But judging by the team's performance
Monday against the Phoenix Coyotes, there's little to reason for Music City
fans to panic.
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.
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