Montero helping Sounders FC across the river
Soccer Betting Lines
09/07/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With a record of 12-7-11, a playoff spot as the Western
Conference's No. 3 seed, a U.S. Open Cup Championship, and almost half-a-
million in paid attendance, Seattle Sounders FC was coming off one of the
most successful expansion seasons in Major League Soccer history in 2009.
But the first half to the 2010 season didn't go nearly as smoothly.
The Sounders were 4-8-3 after a July 4 loss at the Los Angeles Galaxy, and it
appeared the second-year MLS club was headed for a major letdown in 2010.
But since that loss at L.A., the Sounders have gone 5-1-2 to improve their
overall record to 9-9-5.
Twenty-three-year-old Colombian striker Fredy Montero has been one of the main
reasons for the recent turnaround. He scored five goals during that stretch,
three of which were game-winners. He also has three game-winning assists.
Montero has 10 goals and nine assists overall this season, and is on pace to
easily best his 12 goals and seven assists of last season, when he won
the MLS Newcomer of the Year Award. But his contributions go well beyond the
numbers.
Since joining MLS from Colombia's First Division - where he was the Golden
Boot winner in 2007 and 2008 - Montero has established himself as one of the
league's most consistent attackers. He has made the adjustment to a different
culture and to a league that has a lot more travel, is much more physical, and
has inconsistent refereeing from game to game. And he has done it all while
upping his commitment to the Sounders, both on and off the field.
"He has really increased his work-rate on and off the ball for us in terms of
helping us out at times defensively and getting himself into some very good
offensive positions," Seattle coach Sigi Schmid told The Sportsbook Betting Lines. "He's
had more touches because the guys have been more comfortable with him. They
know where to find him.
"He got used to the league. It's something we talked about. He was already
pretty powerful and knew how to use his body, it definitely comes into
play. He realizes that some of the calls he would get in Colombia he
wouldn't get here, he's fighting through some of those situations. Obviously
he's one of our leaders in the game, he's one of our most important
players."
Basically, Montero has transformed himself from the hotshot newcomer, into a
respected leader on the team.
"I'm happy because I've earned that on the field," Montero told The Sportsbook Betting Lines through interpreter Gene Ramirez. "Obviously the responsibility is
bigger with my [teammates], coaches, and the [front office], and obviously
with all the fans."
Last season Montero put up big numbers as an unknown playing for an expansion
team. The fact that it appears like he is going to smash his goal output from
a year ago - while already topping his assist mark - is a testament to his
hard work, because teams now know what to expect from the 5-foot-9 speedster.
"It is a little harder at the personal level and the collective level because
the goals that I am scoring this year are starting to look like a virtue of
mine," Montero said. "Last year I was not that well known in MLS."
RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
It's no secret that Montero has his sight set on a transfer to a European
power at some point in his soccer career, but so far he is taking a patient
approach, refining his game so that he gives himself the best chance for long-
term success at the highest level.
"That is my dream and I believe it is the dream of all the players to be in
the highest, most competitive leagues in all of Europe," he said. "I'm hoping
that when the times comes, I go there and play there for a long time and not
just one season and return like some players have done."
One driving force for Montero is the support of his family as he chases his
dream.
"It is not easy at my age," he said. "Obviously I left my house at 13-years-
old following my dream. I'm still following my dream. It's gratifying that I
have my mom, dad, brothers and sisters living with me. It's gratifying to have
them by my side."
BUMP IN THE ROAD
Seattle is coming off a 3-1 loss at New England on Saturday, a loss that
snapped a seven-game unbeaten run. Will that loss send the team back into a
tailspin, or was it a bump in the road to the MLS Cup playoffs?
"Right now our short-term goal is we have to make sure we make the playoffs,"
Schmid said. "We can't get caught looking ahead. The example I always use for
players is, if you are trying to get to the other side of the river and you
are walking across stones, your goal is to get to the other side of the river.
But if you take your eye off the next stone you go splash and you never get to
the other side."
Montero echoed Schmid's statement.
"We are taking it one game at a time and we try to view each game as if it was
a playoff game, whether its a CONCACAF game, U.S. Open Cup or an MLS game."
Seattle is currently in seventh in the league table, with the top eight
qualifying for the playoffs at the end of October.
FIRST TO TWO
Regardless of what happens in league play this season, the Sounders have a
chance to do something no MLS team has ever done before - win back-to-back
U.S. Open Cup Championships.
"Nobody has won it back-to-back since the early 80s when a New York team did
it when it was basically all of the ethnic leagues all over the country,"
Schmid said. "Being the first team in a long time to win it back-to-back,
being the first team in MLS is something that we would be very proud of. It's
unique, it's different, it sets us apart. When you can be the first at
something nobody can every take that away from you."
The Sounders host the Columbus Crew in the tournament final on Oct. 5 at Qwest
Field.
"You don't get many chances in your lifetime as a soccer player, as a coach,
to actually win a championship in your home stadium," Schmid said. "It doesn't
happen in MLS Cup very often. Obviously it doesn't happen in [CONCACAF]
Champions League and things like that. It is very rare that you get a chance
to hoist a trophy in front of your home crowd. We are very excited about
that."
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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.
Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.
Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.
Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.
Arizona 20-1
Butler 20-1
Duke 30-1
Florida 7-2
Georgetown 30-1
Indiana 35-1
Kansas 15-1
Marquette 25-1
Maryland 40-1
Memphis 50-1
Nevada 50-1
UNC 9-2
OSU 8-1
Oregon 30-1
Pittsburgh 15-1
Texas 30-1
Texas A&M 18-1
UCLA 6-1
Wisconsin 10-1
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook betting needs.
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Bonds nearly hits HR 751, SF wins
4 and drove in
a pair of runs, and Barry Bonds nearly hit homer No. 751 as San Francisco beat
1, in the middle contest of three at AT&T Park.
6) allowed five hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings, fanning
eight and walking three.
game slide.
Bonds, who came within five homers of Hank Aaron's record on Friday, went
1 with three walks, an RBI double and scored twice. The double ...
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