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."
<< 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
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
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.
Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year
Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.
With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.
Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.
Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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