Braun's early goal helps Chivas edge D.C. United

Soccer Betting Lines

08/30/2010 - Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Justin Braun scored his eighth goal of the year in the 13th minute and Chivas USA edged D.C. United, 1-0, on Sunday night in Major League Soccer at The Home Depot Center.

Zach Thornton made four saves for his fourth shutout of the season, as Chivas (6-11-4) snapped a three-game winless skid.

D.C. (4-15-3) lost for the sixth time in its last seven matches, and failed to score for the 14th time this season in 22 league matches.

United veteran Jaime Moreno had the first chance of the match after he took a pass from Santino Quaranta, cut around a defender in the area and then forced a save from Thornton.

Chivas turned its first chance into the opener, as Ante Jazic delivered a pass from the left wing to Braun at the top of the area. Braun, who ran in from the right wing, held off United defender Barry Rice and flicked a header over D.C. goalie Troy Perkins and just under the crossbar from 16 yards.

D.C. designated player Branko Boskovic nearly scored his first goal as United searched for the equalizer, but his shot swerved just a few feet away from the upper-left corner in the 22nd minute.

Braun set up the next scoring chance for Chivas USA in the 27th, but Giancarlo Maldonado turned a header wide left from 10 yards.

Chivas had another chance to double its lead a few minutes later when Rice was unable to control the ball just outside the area. Braun took advantage of the mistake to gain possession, but hurried a 22-yard shot and missed high.

United came within inches twice - on the same play - of tying the match before halftime. Quaranta hit a dipping 25-yard blast off the bar that then deflected off the lower leg of Thornton and inches wide of the right post.

Dejan Jakovic forced Thornton to make a save just before half off a header but Chivas survived the late chances to take the one-goal lead into the break.

After a slow start to the second half, D.C. substitute Andy Najar had a solid chance after a long run down the left, but Thornton made an easy save.

United came close to tying the match near the 70-minute mark when Moreno had a header cleared off the line by Chivas defender Mariano Trujillo.

Braun could have put the match away for Chivas USA in the 74th, but after Alan Gordon put him into space, Braun fired high from outside the area.

Chivas USA held on over the last 15 minutes of normal time and four minutes of stoppage time, as it moved within one point of climbing out of last in the Western Conference.

United has the worst record in MLS and trails the expansion Philadelphia Union by five points at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

D.C. plays Columbus in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday, then battles the Crew in league play Saturday. Chivas plays Seattle Sounders FC in the Open Cup on Wednesday, then plays the Colorado Rapids in MLS on Saturday.

Sprotsillustrated Soccer Betting News

<< Tebow, Broncos take down Steelers
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Tebow made his debut in front of the home crowd and tossed a touchdown as the Denver Broncos downed the Pittsburgh Steelers, 34-17, in preseason action. Tebow, who missed last Saturday's preseaso

<< Johnson and Rays down BoSox
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dan Johnson capped a three-run sixth inning with an RBI single, as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox, 5-3, in the rubber match of a three-game set from Tropicana Field. Carl Crawford a

<< Langer gets 5th Champions Tour win of the season
Snoqualmie, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bernhard Langer posted a three-under 69 on Sunday, but it was enough to cruise to his fifth victory of the season at the Boeing Classic. Langer finished the tournament at 18-under 198, which matched Lor

<< Raiders RB Bush to have thumb surgery
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush will undergo surgery to repair his broken left thumb. The procedure is being reported by the Oakland Tribune, which also says that Oakland head coach Tom Cable

<< Goldberg wins again, sets Canadian money record
St. Catharines, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aaron Goldberg closed with a five-under 65 on Sunday -- his best round of the week -- to win the Canadian Tour Championship by six shots. Even more impressive? It was the American's third win

Report: Manny Ramirez to join White Sox >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baseball sources have confirmed to MLB.com that Manny Ramirez will become a member of the Chicago White Sox on Monday. The star outfielder was placed on waivers by the Dodgers earlier in the week. The White So

Clemens heads to DC, this time for court >>
WASHINGTON (AP) -On this trip to Washington, Roger Clemens will be in a courtroom, not in Congress. His defiant stance is expected to remain the same, even if his statement is much shorter.Something along the lines of, ``Not guilty.''The seven-time

Jordan, Bobcats make donation to NC schools >>
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -Michael Jordan and his Bobcats NBA team will donate $250,000 to middle-school athletics programs in Charlotte, North Carolina's largest city.The Charlotte Observer says the NBA hall-of-famer and North Carolina native will annou

Coyotes and Stempniak agree to terms >>
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes and right wing Lee Stempniak have reportedly agreed to a two-year contract. According to the Arizona Republic, the two sides worked out terms late Sunday night and the deal will be

McCourt divorce trial opens in Los Angeles >>
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Who owns the Los Angeles Dodgers?That's what attorneys for Frank and Jamie McCourt will argue Monday as their non-jury divorce trial begins.A Superior Court judge must decide the validity of a postnuptial marital agreement that gi

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

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook credit cards needs.