D.C. hopes to build on Milan win against Chivas

Soccer Betting Lines

05/28/2010 - Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United has scored four times in nine MLS games this year, but may have finally found its scoring touch this week in a friendly against AC Milan.

Luciano Emilio, Chris Pontius and Danny Allsopp scored in the 3-2 win over the Italian power at RFK Stadium, and United coach Curt Onalfo hopes the club will carry momentum into Saturday's league match against Chivas USA.

"Winning breeds confidence, and I think we needed a win to get over the hump, and playing well and having success is definitely something we can build on," Onalfo said.

D.C. (1-0-8) has failed to score in seven of its eight losses this season, and scored two of its goals in a 3-2 loss to the expansion Philadelphia Union. The only win this season for United was May 5 against Kansas City, 2-1.

"We just have to fight through it and keep going," United's Santino Quaranta said.

Allsopp has two of United's goals and with former MLS MVP Emilio regaining his top form and Pontius healthy, United could finally piece together more offense in league play.

Emilio, who led the league with 20 goals in 2007, has not started since United signed him to a three-month deal in late April. He's played 95 minutes off the bench, and may finally be ready for a more prominent role.

Pontius returned last week from injury against Houston, a 2-0 United loss, and his appearance Wednesday against Milan and Ronaldinho proved he is regaining fitness.

"It was great to see. It was great to have him back. I thought Chris (Pontius) had a great 45 minutes - we missed him sorely, and now we just have to get him more game fit," Onalfo said.

United is just 1-4-0 at home, and needs to start getting results. In addition to struggling offensively, D.C. has allowed 18 goals - an average of two per game - but held its lead against AC Milan despite playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men.

D.C., last in the Eastern Conference, welcomes the last-place squad from the Western Conference to RFK Stadium, but Martin Vasquez's club has managed three wins and a draw this season.

Chivas has scored 11 goals, but nine of those were in its victories over Red Bull New York, San Jose and New England.

Vasquez welcomes Sacha Kljestan back from U.S. camp after he was cut from the World Cup roster, and he should be motivated to spark the attack.

Jonathan Bornstein, who did make the U.S., will be replaced by Carlos Borja at left back again. Borja made his first start last week in a 2-1 defeat to Real Salt Lake, and played well.

"I work hard every day and I try to do what Coach asks me (to do)," Borja said. "Hopefully it goes well and I get more consistent."

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Mayweather picked to beat De La Hoya
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya and his rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. arrived at the MGM Grand here Wednesday amid the pomp and pandemonium befitting two of the biggest stars in the sport who are about to duke it out for the WBC super welterweight crown this Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

As of Wednesday, MySportsbook.com closed its book with Mayweather a favorite to defeat De La Hoya at -170 (a $100 bet wins $70), while De La Hoya is a +140 underdog (a $100 bet wins $140).

Mayweather arrived at about 11:30 a.m. on a big truck with his face and a big "World's Best Pound-for-Pound" sign scribbled across the vehicle. He was accompanied by his entourage made up of rappers and his training team.

A crowd of close to 3,000 eager fans packed the MGM Grand lobby, with their cameras in tow, all trying to vie for position to get a good angle at Mayweather, who is acknowledged as the world's best fighter pound-for-pound.

Eric Gomez, Golden Boy Promotions vice-president, described the fan turnout as "amazing" and swore he had never seen anything quite like this event.

"The crowd was fantastic. Everybody was just too eager to see the two fighters," said ALA manager Michael Aldeguer, who was among those who waited at the lobby together with his ward Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and AJ Banal.

De La Hoya made his own grand entrance at the hotel lobby at around 12:30 p.m. accompanied by GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and trainer Freddie Roach.

The same group of fans who trooped to see Mayweather also lingered around to get a close look at De La Hoya, who has been secretly working out at a Las Vegas gym for days after arriving from his main training camp in Puerto Rico.

The golden boy then took part in a closed-door afternoon workout with Bautista and Banal. The two, along with Aldeguer and wife Christine, as well as an HBO crew were the only ones allowed inside the gym.

De La Hoya and Mayweather take part in today's final press conference before the official weigh-in this Friday.

Ring Magazine, the acknowledged bible of boxing, reported in its June 2007 issue that 12 out of 20 boxing experts it interviewed have favored Mayweather to defeat De la Hoya, with only 8 favoring the latter.

But Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao said in a recent interview with The Freeman's Emmanuel Villaruel that De La Hoya will win by unanimous decision over Mayweather.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on boxing needs.