Blanco makes home debut as Fire host Crew

Soccer Betting Lines

08/03/2007 - Bridgeview, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago will try to continue its resurgence into the Eastern playoff picture when it hosts the Columbus Crew Saturday night at Toyota Park.

The Fire, who are primed to climb out of the Eastern Conference's second-to- last spot, have a new look with Cuauhtemoc Blanco making his second start and Costa Rican international Paulo Wanchope making his debut up top with the team.

"I think the (addition of) Paulo Wanchope can only be good news for everyone involved with the club," Fire head coach Juan Carlos Osorio said after he was signed on July 27. "Paulo is a very experienced striker, and has scored goals at all levels. I think he will improve our attacking force and hopefully he will be someone challenging the rest of the strikers on the starting line, helping us score more goals, winning more matches, and achieving our goal of making the playoffs."

Blanco's presence was definitely felt in his league debut last weekend in Toronto, a 3-0 win for the Fire. Blanco, a Mexican icon, had an assist as the Fire snapped a six-game winless streak and won for just the second time in 13 games. It was also just the second time this season the team scored more than two goals.

Along with Blanco and Wanchope, striker Chris Rolfe, who has been out since early May with an ankle injury, is scheduled to return in the near future. Despite missing the last 10 games, he is tied for the team lead with four goals. Rolfe is listed as probable on the team's injury report.

Columbus is also coming off a win against Toronto, a 2-0 contest on July 22nd in its most recent game. The win was the team's fifth in the last seven fixtures to get the Crew back into the playoff race.

The play of Argentinean Guillermo Barros Schelotto has been a main reason for the resurgence of the Crew. Schelotto was named MLS's Player of the Month on Thursday after having recorded three goals and one assist in four games in July. He has four goals and seven assists on the season and ranks second in the league in assists while playing just 13 games.

"I thought Guillermo [Barros Schelotto] obviously has been very instrumental since he has been with us," Crew head coach Sigi Schmid said. "I think when you look at all the foreign signings in the league, he's definitely, in my mind, in the top two."

The play of goalkeeper Will Hesmer has also been pivotal in the turnaround after the Crew starting the season with one win in its first 11 games.

Since Hesmer took over for goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum eight games ago, he has four shutouts, five wins and just one loss while the Crew have climbed to fourth in the East.

"Obviously, the team is riding high right now and the chemistry is really there," Hesmer said. "Guys are starting to figure out each other, especially up top with Guillermo, Alejandro (Moreno), Eddie (Gaven), Robbie (Rodgers); everybody's starting to get on the same page. I think defensively we've been doing the same thing the whole time and getting it done. We're doing well."

After Saturday's fixture, Chicago will have a week off before traveling to Real Salt Lake while Columbus travels to FC Dallas on Aug. 11.

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MySportsbook.com: NBA Championship Odds

With the playoffs about two months away, the top two teams in the Western Conference are the clear cut leaders to win the NBA Championship. The Dallas Mavericks have the best record in the NBA (44-9) and have been absolutely scorching since the second week of the season.  What makes the Mavs’ record more impressive is the fact that they dropped their first four games of the season.  Currently they have won 17 out of their last 18 and are MySportsbook.com’s favorite (2-1) to win it all.  Right behind the Mavs are the Pacific leading Phoenix Suns (39-13).  Last season, the Suns lost in the Conference Finals to non-other then the Mavericks four games to two.  Of course the Suns were without center Amare Stoudemire who has is averaging 19.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG since coming back from his knee injury.  Unlike the Mavs, the Suns have struggled a bit lately having lost their last three and four out of their last seven.  Of course the main reason for their three straight loses is due to the absence of two time MVP Steve Nash, who is out with a shoulder injury.  Heads-up, the Mavs have beaten the Suns in both of their meetings this season.

In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons (32-19) are the favorites to win it all at 6-1. The addition of Chris Webber seems to have been a good move for the Pistons.  Since coming over from the 76ers, Webber has averaged 13.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG and the Pistons are 11-4.  Even though the defending champion Heat are currently on the playoff making cusp, they are the Eastern Conference team that is getting the most action to win it all (9-1).  The fact that Shaquille O’Neal is back in the starting lineup after missing 39 games probably has something to do with this.  No doubt, Shaq makes a difference when in the lineup as their winning six out of their last seven would indicate.

Just because it is the All-Star break doesn’t mean that you can’t bet on NBA hoops this weekend.  Be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com to bet on who you think will cut down the nets this July. Also, be sure to check out all of the lines and props for All-Star weekend.  With the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry, there are plenty of ways to cash in on the NBA this weekend.

MySportsbook.com’s NBA Championship odds:

Atlanta Hawks 1000-1

Boston Celtics 5000-1

Charlotte Bobcats 5000-1

Chicago Bulls 20-1

Cleveland Cavaliers 20-1

Dallas Mavericks 2-1

Denver Nuggets 25-1

Detroit Pistons 6-1

Golden State Warriors 250-1

Houston Rockets 12-1

Indiana Pacers 60-1

Los Angeles Clippers 45-1

Memphis Grizzlies 5000-1

Miami Heat 9-1

Milwaukee Bucks 1000-1

Minnesota T-Wolves 200-1

New Jersey Nets 50-1

New Orleans Hornets 150-1

New York Knicks 150-1

Orlando Magic 75-1

Philadelphia 76ers 1000-1

Phoenix Suns 5-2

Portland TrailBlazers 1000-1

Sacramento Kings 250-1

San Antonio Spurs 9-1

Seattle Sonics 5000-1

Toronto Raptors 35-1

Utah Jazz 20-1

Washington Wizards 25-1

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Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds

Will he or won't he?  Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.

Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.

"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."

Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.

Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.

But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.

Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback.  It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.

Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1


Atlanta Falcons 50-1


Baltimore Ravens 15-1


Buffalo Bills 50-1


Carolina Panthers 18-1


Chicago Bears 10-1


Cincinnati Bengals 15-1


Cleveland Browns 100-1


Dallas Cowboys 15-1


Denver Broncos 15-1


Detroit Lions 100-1


Green Bay Packers 50-1


Houston Texans 100-1


Indianapolis Colts 6-1


Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1


Kansas City Chiefs 30-1


Miami Dolphins 40-1


Minnesota Vikings 75-1


New England Patriots 10-1


New Orleans Saints 18-1


New York Giants 20-1


New York Jets 30-1


Oakland Raiders 100-1


Philadelphia Eagles 18-1


Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1


Saint Louis Rams 60-1


San Diego Chargers 6-1


San Francisco 49ers 75-1


Seattle Seahawks 20-1


Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1


Tennessee Titans 40-1


Washington Redskins 50-1

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