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."

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Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds

Super Bowl XLIII, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Super Bowl XLIII is now set, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet each other on February 1st in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium to battle it out for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The game kicks off at 6:00pm ET on NBC with announcers Al Michaels and John Madden covering the on-field action. Super Bowl XLIII betting odds at online bookmaker MySportsbook.com have the Steelers listed as an early -6.5 against the spread favorite.Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds

Pittsburgh earned their passage to the big game by beating their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, 23-14 in yesterday's AFC Championship Game. The Steelers jumped on Baltimore early, building a 13-0 first half lead, and never let up on their way to a fairly easy win. Although the Ravens did close to within two points in the fourth quarter, it never appeared as if they had enough offense to pull off the upset.

The Steelers dominating defense held Baltimore to a total of 198 yards while allowing them to convert just three third downs in 13 attempts. Pittsburgh also forced quarterback Joe Flacco into three interceptions, one of which safety Troy Polamalu returned fourty yards for a touchdown.

The Cardinals, by far the playoff team with the longest odds to reach Super Bowl XLIII, did so yesterday with a 32-25 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. Arizona charged out of the gates and built a 24-6 halftime lead that had the Eagles venerable defense reeling. Quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did most of the damage, connecting on three first half touchdowns.

Arizona, however, could not sustain their momentum and the Eagles took a 25-24 with 10:45 left to play in the fourth. The Cardinals, with the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance hanging in the balance, mounted a fourteen play, 72 yard touchdown drive that consumed 7:52 off the clock. Warner hit running back Tim Hightower on a short screen for the go-ahead, game clinching score that will forever live in Cardinal infamy.

MySportsbook.com's Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds:

Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5 (-110), Over 46.5 (-110), -260 (Money line)

Arizona Cardinals +6.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110), +220 (Money line)

Matt Foust won both of his conference championship plays yesterday and he is ready to serve up plenty of Super Bowl action. Each individual play costs $15.00, however, MySportsbook.com recommends purchasing Matt's NFL Playoff Package which includes all of Matt's Super Bowl props and picks from just $45.00.

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