Union continue quest for first shutout at United
Soccer Betting Lines
08/20/2010 -
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Union earned their first-
ever Major League Soccer win over D.C. United, and could produce another first
against the struggling four-time champions Sunday afternoon at RFK Stadium.
The Union (4-10-5) have not posted a shutout in their first season in MLS, but
have the best chance to date against D.C. United (3-14-3), which has failed to
score in 13 of its 20 matches.
D.C., which won the most recent of its MLS titles in 2004, has scored just 13
goals this year, or the same amount as MLS leading scorer Edson Buddle of the
Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Union have scored in 16 of their 19 matches, led by Sebastien Le Toux and
his team-high nine goals and rookie Danny Mwanga and his seven goals.
Although Philadelphia has also struggled, it sits five points above United in
the Eastern Conference. The Union tied Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids
in their last two matches, but are winless in five straight.
Le Toux scored a hat trick in Philadelphia's 3-2 win over United in April, and
assistant coach John Hackworth believes the second meeting is important, even
though the teams have the two worst records in the league.
"Certainly D.C. is a big game for us," Hackworth said on the Union's website.
"We go on the road against logically one of our biggest rivals. They're
struggling and they're going to search every way they can for points."
United is winless in nine straight, including five straight defeats. D.C. has
scored just one goal in its last six games, with its other tally coming on an
own goal in a 3-1 loss to FC Dallas last week.
D.C. fired Curt Onalfo a few weeks ago, but Ben Olsen has been unable to turn
the season around in his limited time in charge. United's only hope is to get
off the bottom of the standings, and the Union are probably the only team they
can hope to catch.
United has posted two of its three wins at home this season, and the Union are
tied with Toronto FC and the New England Revolution for the fewest points on
the road all year.
"It's going to be tough, but we played well in our last couple games and feel
like we're due for some things to go our way," Hackworth said.
<< Marlins' Paulino suspended, placed on restricted list
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Florida Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino has
received a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug
Prevention and Treatment Program.
The team placed Paulino on the restricted lis
<< Rangers option P Holland, recall Kirkman
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers have optioned pitcher Derek
Holland to Triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled pitcher Michael Kirkman from
the same club.
Holland was brought up earlier in the week to make a start against
<< Chicago squares off with Houston on short rest
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Fire travel to take on Houston for
their second Major League Soccer fixture in three days on Saturday night.
The Fire are coming off a 2-1 win over New England at Toyota park on
Wednesday
<< Marseille set to add Gignac from Toulouse
Marseille, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marseille agreed Friday with Toulouse on
the transfer of France striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, who led Ligue 1 in scoring
one season ago.
The 24-year-old Gignac had 24 goals for Toulouse last season, and h
<< Bucks sign Boykins
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Milwaukee Bucks announced Friday they
have signed guard Earl Boykins.
Boykins, 34, spent the 2009-10 season with Washington and averaged 6.6
points and 2.6 assists in 67 games. He previously
NBA hands down 10-game suspension for Delonte West >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National Basketball Association has
suspended guard Delonte West for 10 games without pay for pleading guilty to
carrying a concealed weapon and wearing, carrying, and transporting a handgun,
in viol
Serena withdraws from U.S. Open >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Serena Williams has withdrawn from the U.S.
Open because of a right foot injury she sustained last month.
The world No. 1 cut her foot on broken glass in a restaurant in July, an
injury that required
Red Sox put Pedroia back on DL >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox on Friday placed second
baseman Dustin Pedroia on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left foot.
Pedroia was originally put on the DL in late June due to a fracture of the
navicular
Blue Jays activate C Buck >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays activated catcher John
Buck from the 15-day disabled list on Friday.
He had been on the DL since August 4 with a right thumb injury after taking a
foul ball off his right hand in a 5
Schweinsteiger nets stoppage-time winner for Bayern >>
Munich, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bastian Schweinsteiger scored in stoppage
time to lift Bayern Munich to a 2-1 win over Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena on
Friday in the Bundesliga season opener.
Schweinsteiger directed a cross from Franck
Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
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